Tenpa Yarphel Speaks Up Against Nechung

Nechung Dorje Dragden. Nechung is a powerful negative spirit who did his best to obstruct the transmission of Buddhism from India to Tibet. He was subdued by the Indian master Padmasambhava. Considered to be an unenlightened being, many old monks attest that Nechung’s prophecies often come out incorrect.

Dear friends around the world,

I would like to share with all of you an interesting development within Tibetan politics which could have positive ramifications in how they treat religious differences, segregation and bias in Tibetan society. Until now the treatment of people with varying religious practices has been poor to say the least. A member of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, also known as the Central Tibetan Administration gave a short speech in which he raised his sincere concerns about the government’s continued reliance on advice given by Nechung through the State Oracle. This minister of the government is Venerable Tenpa Yarphel, one of the two representatives of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. Since His Holiness the Dalai Lama heavily relies on advice from Nechung, as does the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, Tenpa Yarphel is in direct conflict of this. Since Tibetans in exile are democratic in name only, the ultimate decisions always come from the Dalai Lama in spite of his ‘retirement’ from politics. Nechung has been used by the Tibetan government through a succession of oracles for hundreds of years and Tenpa Yarphel with his logical speech is ‘threatening’ to overturn this tradition and indirectly saying the Dalai Lama is wrong in encouraging the use of Nechung for all state decisions as well as religious matters.

For hundreds of years, the Nechung oracle has been consulted on matters of state. Many are now questioning this reliance, given that Tibetan society is supposed to be based on the principles of democracy and the advice given by the oracle does not support this, but instead creates division and segregation in Tibetan society. In the past Nechung has given advice to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan ministers to ban Dorje Shugden and that the practice should not be allowed to exist. Many Tibetans are now saying this is wrong because whatever religion a Tibetan practises should be up to them. All Tibetans should be given respect and equal opportunities, and this includes religious freedom. Added to this is the fact that a lot of Nechung’s advice turns out to be wrong, and the language Nechung speaks is unintelligible to almost all Tibetans. His pronouncements must be interpreted by one or two monks who are supposed to understand his language but there is no verification of this.

Because of Nechung, Dorje Shugden practitioners are not allowed to attend any secular or spiritual gatherings with the Dalai Lama, enroll into Tibetan schools, use Tibetan hospitals, work in the Tibetan exiled government and even dine at certain Tibetan restaurants. As a Tibetan, regardless of religion, they should be allowed to attend the Dalai Lama’s secular talks without prejudice, enroll in schools, use hospitals and so on. What type of government restricts one segment of their own society to attend secular gatherings concerning their country due to religious bias? This is happening in Tibetan society today. In the past in America, African Americans were segregated in this way due to racial bias and prejudice. This is happening now with the Rohingya conflict in Myanmar. In Tibetan society, Dorje Shugden practitioners are not allowed to participate in mainstream Tibetan government, attend monasteries, be treated in hospitals, learn in schools and go to the Dalai Lama’s talks. Not being able to attend the Dalai Lama’s religious ceremonies is fine, but all Tibetans inclusive of Dorje Shugden practitioners should be allowed to attend the Dalai Lama’s secular talks as he is Tibet’s defacto leader. But they are not allowed to, even though they are Tibetans because of their religion.

I have included a video for you to watch of the speech by Parliamentarian Tenpa Yarphel who is very outspoken. He represents thousands of Tibetans who are against the use of Nechung by the government because of the schism and division Nechung’s advice has created. As it is in Tibetan, I have included the transcript of the video in English so you can understand what he says. Here are some points to bear in mind:

Gods, demons, and spirits

The Nechung oracle is famous within Tibetan society for his pronouncement labelling the Dharma protector Dorje Shugden a demon or a spirit. Within the speech given by Tenpa Yarphel he mentions this labelling as creating division and disharmony within Tibetan society. While practitioners consider Dorje Shugden to be a god, an emanation of Manjushri, the Buddha of wisdom, Nechung labels Dorje Shugden a demon or spirit, creating a rift and giving rise to segregation. The segregation against Dorje Shugden practitioners based on Nechung’s advice has kept thousands of Tibetans away from mainstream Tibetan society. Based on Nechung’s advice the Tibetan government has disallowed Dorje Shugden practitioners from participating in any governance of the Tibetans, to use facilities such as hospitals and even attend Tibetan schools. They have become pariahs.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama often consults Nechung before making firm decisions. Here you see Nechung in trance of the oracle and speaking to the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama often invites or allows Nechung to take trance and speak during many initiations, ceremonies, rituals and gatherings. Many Tibetans are not happy with this and Parliamentarian Tenpa Yarphel spoke up about this. Tibetans are asking why after 60 years of being in exile and listening to hundreds of pronouncements and advice from Nechung, there is no progress in the Tibetan situation with China. People are losing confidence in Nechung and questioning why the Tibetan government always consults Nechung before making decisions when it is not having any effect. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has mentioned clearly that Nechung advised him to ask Dorje Shugden practice to be removed. Many senior monks say Nechung, being a lesser spirit, was jealous of the faith people had in Dorje Shugden. Nechung said that the practice of Dorje Shugden was slowing down the return of the Tibetans to Tibet as Dorje Shugden was conflicting with Pelden Hlamo and Nechung himself. Many scholar monks in Gaden Monastery said this is impossible. Let us just, for argument’s sake, suppose Dorje Shugden is obstructing. How can he override a powerful being like Pelden Hlamo? It does not make sense. But Nechung told the Dalai Lama that Dorje Shugden should be banned.

False prophecies

Within Tibetan society it is well known that Nechung has given many false prophecies. These include a false prophecy leading to His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama Thubten Gyatso fleeing to China to escape the British Invasion of Tibet in 1903 led by Colonel Younghusband; the death of the 13th Dalai Lama after being given wrong medication as prescribed by the Nechung oracle; and a false prophecy stating that the 14th Dalai Lama should remain in Tibet in 1959, while it was actually Dorje Shugden who gave the advice to leave Tibet into safety in India. This was recounted clearly by Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, the root teacher of the Dalai Lama and there are many monks who attest to this. In his biography, His Holiness the 6th Dalai Lama Tsangyang Gyatso even made it clear that we cannot rely on Nechung’s prophecies or advice. Yet the 6th Dalai Lama’s instruction regarding reliance on Nechung has been disregarded today during the 14th Dalai Lama’s reign. There must be a reason why the 6th Dalai Lama forbade Nechung’s advice.

Nechung’s language

When Nechung gives pronouncements in trance of his oracle, he is unintelligible. He does not speak in colloquial Tibetan or any clear language for the majority of the population. What he says needs to be interpreted by another monk and only a few monks can understand Nechung’s language which does lead to a lot of mistakes as there is no check and balance. The ability to understand Nechung remains a mystery. No one knows how the other monks know what Nechung is saying or even where they learned to understand Nechung. This was brought up by Parliamentarian Tenpa Yarphel during his speech.

People are now seriously questioning the advice given by the Nechung oracle

The Central Tibetan Administration is supposed to be a democracy

The Tibetan constitution is based on and enshrines democratic principles, and this includes the freedom to practise whatever religion you choose and not be discriminated against because of this. Due to Nechung’s pronouncement that Dorje Shugden is a demon or spirit, the Central Tibetan Administration instituted policies discriminating against Dorje Shugden practitioners, which is against their constitution. This has led to a divide within Tibetan society, including segregation and suffering. In fact within official Tibetan policy now, they have included a new clause stating that if you are a Dorje Shugden practitioner you may not work for or have any position within the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. Since Nechung said Dorje Shugden is a negative spirit and his followers must give up the practice or be banned from Tibetan society, all those who follow Dorje Shugden are instantly segregated. This is what has been happening since 1996.

Nechung in full trance. No other government in the world consults a spirit that takes trance of an oracle and then asks advice for the sake of the country. If the advice brought results then that would be fine, but much of what Nechung predicts does not come true.

The Tibetan language has many nuances

When people read literal translations of the Tibetan language, it may be difficult for a new reader to understand what is really being said. This is because there are a lot of prevailing issues the reader may not be aware of. It is also because of the various different levels of honour and meaning within the language itself. Therefore it is necessary to have some form of explanation for the precise meaning to be ascertained. It is important that what is being said in Tibetan is interpreted in English correctly, inclusive of all of the nuances, tones and also the indirect meanings alluded to. Tibetans often do not like to speak directly or offensively, so Tibetans speak indirectly, in a roundabout way, or in third person terms. Tibetans do not like direct confrontation which leads to a loss of face.

Venerable Tenpa Yarphel, minister of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and representative of the Kagyu schools

Please do keep all these points in mind when watching the video and reading the transcript. It will help you understand the true gravity of what Tenpa Yarphel is saying about Nechung and the Tibetan government. His speech is truly landmark. Never before has someone spoken in this open and direct manner in regards to the government’s reliance on Nechung. This is especially true because Nechung’s authority to give advice comes from the Dalai Lama saying so. Within Tibetan society no one dares to criticise the Dalai Lama but here Tenpa Yarphel addresses what is wrong with Tibetan society at the moment, by criticising the government’s continued reliance on the advice given by Nechung. By Tenpa Yarphel attacking Nechung and the institution of giving advice to the Tibetan government, he is skillfully saying that he does not agree with the current Dalai Lama’s use of Nechung, as much of the advice Nechung has given has turned out to be wrong. There are many Tibetans like Tenpa Yarphel who disagree with many of the Dalai Lama’s policies and the Tibetan government’s enforcement of these policies and many are gradually starting to speak out as they want a true democracy.

Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay about to consult with Nechung regarding state affairs. You can see other government ministers behind him. Tibetans are now saying that if Nechung was effective, they would have Tibet back by now. Instead they are asking why they are not using logic to figure out the many issues concerning Tibet. Back in 1904 Nechung had advised a 600-member strong army of Tibetan soldiers to fight the British Younghusband Expedition encroaching on Tibetan territory. Nechung had given them amulets and predicted a stunning defeat of the British. Quite the opposite happened and many were killed and they lost the battle with the British. Parliamentarian Tenpa Yarphel brings up this point in the meeting as this is a well-known story.

What is even more remarkable is that Tenpa Yarphel skillfully brings up the issue of the segregation of Dorje Shugden practitioners without directly speaking about Dorje Shugden. Instead he goes to the source and through this explains that in order for Tibetan society to once again be united, the Central Tibetan Administration should stop taking advice from Nechung. Only in this way will there be an end to segregation and religious discrimination within Tibetan society and also for all Tibetans to be united as one. Tenpa Yarphel stresses that Nechung is always saying this deity is a god, or that one is a spirit, or another one is a demon, so people become very confused. When he accuses the deity of a certain sect or group of followers to be a spirit, he obviously segregates these people from mainstream Tibetan society, since the deity is supposed to be evil according to Nechung. Instead of dividing Tibetans, Nechung should advise all Tibetans to be united and tolerant of each other even if your religious belief systems are different and not ban any religion. But he does not. Tenpa Yarphel is saying all Tibetans should be united regardless of their religion and that the Tibetan government should stop consulting Nechung as his advice has not been proven to create unity.

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama consults with Nechung again, just like he has done hundreds of times before. Whatever Nechung advises regarding religion and politics, the Dalai Lama will heed strongly to the advice of this spirit. His Holiness the Dalai Lama said in his talks that Tibetan Buddhism follows the Buddha and its rich tradition is being degraded by worship of spirits such as Dorje Shugden. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso of England wrote a letter to His Holiness the Dalai Lama asking if the Dalai Lama stops propitiating spirits like Nechung, then we can go further to stop our worship of Dorje Shugden. Both sides should be the same. Until then the Dalai Lama encourages people to respect and propitiate Nechung because at most gatherings in India, he will have Nechung take trance and always take centre stage during teachings. Also the Tibetan government-in-exile supports the Nechung oracle and the monastery and its many monks financially. Furthermore, with Nechung, the Dalai Lama has two other oracles (Tenma and Tsangpa) who also take trance to speak, dance and accept offerings during many of the Dharma talks with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Tenpa Yarphel is certainly brave, ambitious and caring of the unity within Tibetan society. He stressed many times during parliamentary meetings that all Tibetans need harmony, and basically need to get along with each other regardless of their differences and that Nechung is preventing this. Being of the younger generation of Tibetan politicians he is aware and alert to the changes of modern society. He wishes Tibetan politics and policies would mature to the point they are befitting of the 21st century in that it is open, tolerant, fair, equal in its treatment of citizens and no prejudice of anyone’s religion. He is indeed courageous and brave and many support him and respect him. This is not something easy for me to talk about here, but it needs to be said. Forgive me if I offend anyone as this is not my intention. I simply wish that the negative rhetoric against Dorje Shugden practitioners will stop because it is inhumane.

I respectfully beg and humbly request His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to embrace all Tibetans even if we practise Dorje Shugden. This practice has been with us in Tibet till now for 400 years starting from the Sakya School of Buddhism. One word from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to accept all of us will be enough for Tibetans who practise Dorje Shugden and those that do not to become united and harmonious again, just like before the ban against Dorje Shugden. I wish His Holiness the Dalai Lama to reconsider as you have all the power to make this democratic change in tolerance for all religions within Tibetan society. I thank you. May His Holiness the Dalai Lama always be well and live very much longer.

Tsem Rinpoche

Tenpa Yarphel Speaks Up

Transcript

I have something to add relating to the previous question about the Department of Religion and Culture. Many people have voiced their opinions (both good and bad opinions) about the Nechung Oracle. Even in meetings, they always talk about Nechung and all that. So I would also like to share my opinion on this.

I know that our government is involved in both religion and politics. In the past, the Minister of Religion and Culture has said that our religion is based on following what Nechung says when he takes trance. Nechung says all types of things. Even today, the “supporters” (inferring fake supporters or those who want to look politically correct) make many statements to this effect. Buddha Shakyamuni gave 84,000 teachings but Nechung taking trance is never mentioned anywhere in them, nor by the Seventeen Great Panditas of Nalanda Monastery (the teachings of all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism stem from Nalanda Monastery). So, this (following Nechung’s advice while in trance) is not real Dharma. If you say that this is our religion (getting advice from Nechung), then it is wrong. Following Nechung in trance is a mistake (the Dalai Lama always invites Nechung to all his events, gatherings, and teachings. Here Tenpa Yarphel is alluding to this but does so in a way that is not offensive).

Those who support the Middle Way pretend to have faith in the Dharma and the Dharma Protectors, and they say we have to offer them (Nechung) everything. But this does not make any sense to me. If you support the Middle Way, you don’t have to believe in Gods or Protectors, much less the Dharma. These type of people pretend to have faith in the Protectors. They act as though if they don’t exist, we cannot get food, we cannot get drinks, but they are actually the ones creating conflict in Tibetan society and the public must know about this (this infers Nechung and supporters are creating schism in Tibetan society).

We are quite involved in Dharma. I know quite well what is written in Dharma. You make gods and demons (referring to Nechung) take trance and after that you make decisions. But this is not real dharma and His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said this before.

Fortunately, the Minister of Religion and Culture said today that discussions on the topic of Nechung are happening again and again in parliament meetings. I don’t remember exactly what he said but if it is not necessary to do this, then we better not do it. He said something along the lines that if we do not consult Nechung and listen to him then it is good! It is totally unnecessary, it always creates conflict. Within our society, the issue of (referring to Nechung telling the Dalai Lama that Dorje Shugden is a demon) gods and demons still exists. What has happened in the Tibetan community within the past 50 years? Everything is upside down. People say this is a god, this is a demon… This conflict has destroyed our unity (we are not united as we are segregated by our religion and this means Tibetans cannot achieve anything). If we can end this conflict, I truly rejoice.

The Minister of Religion and Culture has said that the public has been bombarding them with complaints and difficult questions (regarding the situation of the Tibetan government relying on Nechung and the problems this has caused) and that they should not be doing this. But if we don’t ask them, who should we ask? (the Tibetan public are not happy with Nechung giving instructions to the Central Tibetan Administration and the Dalai Lama because his instructions do not have a positive effect). The Department of Religion and Culture is the one who pays their salaries. They are the ones who increased their salaries. The Minister of Religion and Culture is saying that without this, it’s not okay. But there is nothing to be grateful about. What is there to be grateful for? We have to discuss this. Where is it written in the Buddha’s teachings that the Nechung Oracle must take trance?

When Nechung takes trance (Tenpa Yarphel makes choking sounds), he makes choking sounds (as though his neck is being strangled with rope). No one understands what Nechung is saying. Who can understand Nechung? How did the person who understands Nechung learn how to do so? Did he know from birth? (Nechung talks unintelligibly. Here Tenpel Yarphel is mocking Nechung, saying even the language he uses to communicate in trance is confusing in itself. What is eventually understood of what he says just serves to create more conflict). By Nechung saying that a deity is a god, is a demon, or a spirit, he has segregated the Tibetans (for example, Nechung said that Dorje Shugden is a spirit and some people gave up the practice but others did not. This divided the Tibetans).

We are in the 21st Century but we are lagging behind the times. I want to make it clear that this is not pure Dharma. The Department of Religion and Culture is not doing what they should, and doing what they should not. That’s what I’d like to say (referring to his point that the Tibetan Department of Religion and Culture should stop consulting Nechung).

Footnote:1. The Tibetan language can be difficult to understand due to the propensity not to say things directly, or that it refers to issues the reader may not understand. In order to clarify points made within the speech, short commentaries have been added in brackets in the above text to elucidate what Tenpa Yarphel was saying.

Addendum

Translation of Nechung Monastery’s Response

Within a couple of days of Tenpa Yarphel’s comments in Parliament about not continuing to rely on Nechung’s advice, Nechung Monastery released a knee-jerk letter condemning him. The letter itself reiterates and highlights many of the points raised earlier. The translation of the letter is provided below.

A response from Nechung Monastery in regards to Ven. Tenpa Yarphel’s comments about the flaws of listening to Nechung. Click to enlarge.

More and more Tibetans are beginning to realise that continuing to rely on Nechung is not good for the Tibetan people on a democratic level and for Tibetan unity. Many people approached the monastery for answers relating to Tenpa Yarphel’s comments because they too felt the same way about the government’s continued reliance on Nechung. If people did not feel the same way, then they would not have done anything. This goes to show there are sections of Tibetan society that want equality, they stand up for what is not right.

Nechung Monastery did not provide a logical response to Tenpa Yarphel’s comments but brushed him off by saying that people need to believe that Nechung is a well-known Dharma protector and that people should believe in what His Holiness the Dalai Lama says without explanation. But this goes against Buddhist practice. The Buddha taught us to use spiritual logic, but the monastery offers no such logical explanation.

Why would Nechung Monastery release such an illogical statement if they were not threatened by what Tenpa Yarphel and large sections of the Tibetan people are feeling? They are paid by the Central Tibetan Administration and rely on the government for financial gain. The monastery falls under the Department of Religion and Culture, that pays them a salary. Are they worried about their livelihood? Or what will happen to their paycheque and influence if they are no longer employed by the Tibetan government? Could this be the real reason why they would release such an illogical letter?

Why is Nechung Monastery even commenting on parliamentary proceedings when they are not politicians. Tenpa Yarphel as a monk and politician can comment on religious matters such as the over reliance of the government on deities. Nechung Monastery however are not politicians. So there is no reason for them to comment on the proceedings unless the conclusion drawn about their paycheques being affected is true.

This statement did nothing for Nechung Monastery but instead highlights what many Tibetans are feeling. Rather than give a real and well thought out response, their statement does not clear up any of the points Tenpa Yarphel actually raised. Since none of these points were addressed, what could the reason be for such a response? It is not clear at all and as such raises more questions as to the true motive of the monastery and the Nechung oracle’s involvement with the Central Tibetan Administration.

Translation of Nechung Monastery’s letter:

Dear people who have immovable samaya, hope and rely on the Great Dharma King Nechung,

Everybody knows that Kagyu Tenpa Yarphel, member of parliament, brought his personal thoughts and personal disease against the great Dharma King, Nechung. He talked like an insane person and exaggerated and made people worry. Many people arrived at Nechung Monastery and asked for an explanation about the statements. But this monastery is not going to give any answers. Because, “if a blind man can see anything” (Tibetan proverb) the topic is beyond dispute already. It is clear that the palm of the hand cannot cover the sun light and Nechung is a well-known dharma protector. So to have wrong view and slander or blame this protector, it shows one’s own bad character and nothing else. In particular, the great incarnation of Avalokiteshwara, His Holiness the Dalai Lama says “Under the sky, I am very much familiar with Nechung and Nechung is very familiar with me.” He always says this in his own words. There is nothing to say further except this. To those who have faith in this great Dharma King, they should have undisturbed minds, never lose their belief, just like before and always respect the wishes of His Holiness.

From Nechung Monastery on Sep, 22nd, 2017

The Tibetans in exile

The main Tibetan settlement in India is in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh. Click to enlarge.

After His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama left Tibet in 1959, followed by around 150,000 Tibetans in later years, they were given safe refuge in India. The then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the Indian people showed their gracious generosity and kindness in allowing the Tibetans to settle in Buxa, the first Tibetan refugee camp. From there the Tibetans were distributed amongst 24 allocated settlements throughout India. These settlements were leased to the Tibetans for a period of 99 years.

One of these settlements is called Dharamsala in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. This is where His Holiness the Dalai Lama established his palace and where the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, now more commonly referred to as the Central Tibetan Administration, established its parliament and headquarters. This governing body is made up of three institutions that are supposed to uphold the Tibetan constitution which is based on “democratic” principles, including the Judiciary, the Legislature, and the Kashag (or Executive committee). In reality however, even though it was supposed to be set up in this way, the Dalai Lama is still in command and has the final word in political matters because he is still revered as the god-king of Tibet.

A map of Himachal Pradesh, where Dharamsala is located. Click to enlarge.

It was February 1960 that His Holiness the Dalai Lama outlined the introduction of democracy within the Tibetan exiled community. 13 elected officials swore their oaths to uphold these principles on September 2nd, 1960, and included one representative each from the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism. This day is now celebrated throughout the Tibetan exiled community as “Tibetan Democracy Day”. Although Democracy Day is celebrated there is definitely no democracy within the Tibetan exiled community as of yet.

Dharamsala itself has become a popular tourist destination as well as being the hub of Tibetan exiled life. Out of the roughly 150,000 Tibetans that left Tibet, about 95,000 live within the 24 Tibetan settlements. About 20,000 of these live in or around Dharamsala, making it the most populous area for those of Tibetan descent outside of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Tibetans in Dharamsala now outnumber the Indian population significantly and are the majority in the area.

The current headquarters of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, otherwise known as the Central Tibetan Administration is located in Dharamsala.

Dharamsala has become one of the main Tibetan settlements in India. Here we see a street with local shops and a temple in the background.

A view of one of the many streets in Dharamsala, where His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration are based.

The Tibetan settlement of Dharamsala sprawls over the lush countryside.

Nechung

Nechung is the name given to a Dharma protector propitiated by the Central Tibetan Administration. This Dharma protector’s name is actually Pehar Gyalpo. He has his origins in Zahor, ancient Persia from where he travelled to Tibet. There, during Buddhism’s transmission to Tibet he opposed the spread of the religion creating many obstacles for the great masters. He was subdued and bound by oath by Padmasambhava, an Indian tantric master of great renown who had travelled to Tibet to subdue the interfering beings who blocked the spread of Buddhism. Nechung was forced to swear, under threat, to protect Buddhism and Buddhist practitioners. Padmasambhava also bound and subdued other local spirits and deities, putting them under the control of Nechung, and installed him in the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, Samye Monastery.

Nechung Monastery in Dharamsala

Over time, Nechung’s main minister Dorje Dragden began to communicate with the Tibetan government through the medium of an oracle, and over time the Nechung oracle became regarded as the State Oracle of Tibet since he took trance to advise the government. However, many people today believe that it is not Nechung that takes trance within the oracle when consulted by the Central Tibetan Administration. Instead they say it is malicious spirit named Nyatrul, who arose specifically to destroy the Tibetan government. In a previous life, he was falsely linked to an assassination attempt on the 13th Dalai Lama’s life. He was killed brutally by the Tibetan government and as he was dying, he swore to reincarnate as someone who would destroy the Tibetan government. Many believe that the pronouncements made by the Nechung oracles since then are false because they stem from Nyatrul rather than Nechung.

Kyabje Zong Rinpoche said that the real Nechung deity is a benevolent being and is helpful but many high lamas and Tibetans do not believe that it is Nechung that takes trance in the oracle. This stems from the heavy negative karma of the Tibetan government. Instead it is none other than Nyatrul who advises the Tibetan government. Nyatrul is said to be hell-bent on destroying Tibetan unity by posing as Nechung and giving false advice to the government. In this way they will continue to make decisions that will bring them failure. To many Tibetans, including Tenpa Yarphel, this seems to be the case because after 60 years the Tibetans still cannot return back to Tibet.

In 1959, Bhutan and Nepal were both small kingdoms that had a very small population, yet their rulers were strong and their government was precise in protecting them from invasion. It seems that the Bhutanese and Nepali leaders at the time worked for the welfare of their people and were therefore able to keep their sovereignty until today. The question here is why wasn’t Tibet with all their gods and protectors, and lamas, able to protect their country and alleged sovereignty? After all, whose fault was it that Tibet was lost? Whose fault was it that they did not have a modern army, a good communications infrastructure, diplomatic relations with powerful countries around the world or schools educating the Tibetan populace on modern thought and exposure to world politics? Whose fault was it that Tibet was backward and the people lived in serfdom? So when the Chinese came, the Tibetan government easily handed everything over. Why didn’t China take over Bhutan and Nepal, as it would have meant more land, resources and people to join China? We can see clearly here that the Tibetan government in Tibet failed its own people, just like it is similarly failing its people now to secure some sort of peaceful resolution between Tibet and China. The Tibetan leaders, it seems, are interested in garnering western support for financial gains. Instead of trying to please western governments, they should stop criticising China and reach out and make friends with China for the sake of the six million Tibetans inside and outside of Tibet. Since Tibet is in China, it only makes sense to make friends with China and not antagonise China.

According to Tenpa Yarphel, Nechung is a strong contributing factor to this because the Tibetans are not taking responsibility for their government, but relying on the inaccurate prophecies of the Nechung oracle, which is not unifying the Tibetan people but segregating them. Hopefully, Tenpa Yarphel’s courage and lone voice will bring some wisdom to the Tibetan leadership and unite all Tibetans regardless of religion. That of course includes Dorje Shugden people who have been badly segregated, biased against and spat upon due to Nechung’s condemnations. Nechung has condemned Dorje Shugden people to a life of suffering due to segregation. Dorje Shugden people are Tibetans too and love their country just as much as any other Tibetan.

Let us hope that Venerable Tenpa Yarphel and many more like him will continue to speak up so that the beautiful Tibetans outside of Tibet will unite with the Tibetans inside Tibet, and preserve their unique and beautiful culture, language and religion. Tenpa Yarphel is really a forerunner for the truest form of democracy.

Nechung Monastery in Dharamsala. This whole monastery with around 100 monks are sponsored by the Tibetan Government-in-Exile for their expenditure. Their function is to engage in pujas to Nechung to please him every day and as a place where Nechung can be consulted. It houses the shrine and room where the oracle takes trance of this spirit. Remember, Nechung is known as a spirit and not an enlightened being. Yet there is a whole monastery dedicated to him, sponsored under the Dalai Lama’s instructions by the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. Tibetans are complaining why is this so? So many poor Tibetans need help, why is Nechung Monastery funded and why is the Nechung oracle paid to advise the Tibetan government?

Tenpa Yarphel

Venerable Tenpa Yarphel is a member of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and one of the two representatives of the Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s term began in 2016 and will last until 2021.

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Pastor Adeline Woon on Jan 30, 2018 at 1:27 am

This video condensed and made simple the history of the Dorje Shugden ban and the sufferings Dorje Shugden people experienced and continue to experience for 20 years. The video also laid out and reveal the truth and facts that Dorje Shugden was the Protector who advised His Holiness the Dalai Lama to flee to India and hence His Holiness’ life is saved. There is no religious freedom for the Dorje Shugden people worldwide because of the Dorje Shugden ban executed by the Central Tibetan Administration. We are, until today being discriminated and persecuted for simply practising our choice of religion and this is the truth.

MP Tenpa Yarphel is indeed brave and breaks with the tradition of not speaking up in Tibetan Parliament but following the advice of those higher up. His opinions voiced in Parliament speaks volumes of just how people within the Tibetan communities are feeling towards the Nechung oracle and his influence over politics. Why is it that the Parliamentarians are not making sound and logical decisions for themselves but relying on Nechung instead. This doesn’t look good for the politicians and for a supposed democracy and this is what the Tenpa Yarphel is speaking up about.

The fact that Nechung is consulted in this day and age is something to wonder about, especially since it occurs in a supposed democratic government. But what is more scary is that his advice really ends up being more detrimental than helpful. In fact many of his prophecies that have turned out false, cause more pain and suffering. This is not something that other democratic governments around the world would even think of doing. If the Tibetan government is really democratic, they should stop this practice. But if they want to continue doing this, they really shouldn’t call themselves a democracy.

It is rare and encouraging to have someone speaking up against the unjustness of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). As ‘democratic’ as the CTA like to portray they are, it is well-known that if some individuals were to talk against them, the CTA will make sure they learn their lesson. Mr Lukar Jam is a very clear example of the consequences Tibetans have to face when they go against the very same government who signed the agreement and was ready give themselves away to China. How ironic is that. 🤷

How will people think if countries like America and Canada were to behave and rule their countries like how the CTA run their “government”? That is not a democratic government body at all! I must say that this article is a masterpiece, it gives a better insight into how the CTA actually operate. Which democratic country on earth consults spirits for answers in relations to the welfare of their country? What does that say about the leaders of the country?

The power that Nechung exerts through the Tibetan Government in Exile shows that democracy is only a word on paper but not applied within the CTA. Where else could a state oracle take decisions? On top, these decisions are not even helpful but instead have negative results for Tibet!

It is very good that MP Tenpa Yarphel speaks up and points out what is wrong with relying on Nechung and his prophecies. The Tibetans need to be united instead of the discrimination and hardship that Dorje Shugden practitioners have to bear.

The CTA should stop discriminating against someone’s religion and harm Dorje Shugden practitioners in every possible way from health to education to work and daily necessities. It is a huge struggle being a Dorje Shugden practitioners but the worst is being segregated from society, not being allowed to meet friends and family which does not practice the same religion or who are working for the Tibetan Administration in Exile. The harm for Dorje Shugden practitioners is unending and it has no basis and no benefits for anyone!

I hope that more will speak up and that decisions will be taken based on democratic rules such as equality, liberty of speech and religious freedom to name some. Thank you Tenpa Yarphel to speak up and point out that Nechung’s advices are not understandable for most people and do not have the results that are expected. In this way how does not make sense to listen to those advices?

Imagine after 60 years of being exiled and listening to hundreds of pronouncements and advice from Nechung, there is no progress.
Why?
a) Because many Tibetans believe that Nyatrul is posing as Nechung and taking trance in
the current Nechung oracle. This is the result of the Tibetan Leadership’s heavy
negative karma.

b) The language Nechung (Nyatrul) speaks is unintelligible to almost all Tibetans. His
pronouncements must be interpreted by one or two monks who are supposed to
understand his language, but there is no verification of this.

c) No religious freedom.

Conclusion: Why bother to get an advice from a spirit?
Practice democracy by uniting Tibetan with no barrier in religion.

A good example, Venerable Tenpa Yarphel has showed deep concern for the Tibetan welfare by reasoning the truth rather than keeping quiet.

Its great that younger Tibetan politicians are starting to speak their mind and stand up for the principles of democracy. In fact, it’s about time that the younger generation of Tibetans speak up to protect their country and community from the corruption, power games and feudal ways of thinking of those who currently hold power.

Of course it’s ridiculous for a democratic govt to take the advice of a spirit against the wishes of the public. What’s more when that spirit has been wrong and harmful on so many occasions. So why doesn’t anyone have the guts to say anything except Tenpa Yarphel?

Tibetans around the world especially those who have been exposed to true democracy in the west should really speak to their government representatives and make a motion for this silly reliance on Nechung to be stopped. A democracy must listen to the wishes of its people, and stop being controlled by a few in power at the top of the food chain, and worse, by a spirit.

We may think that as an MP, they have the right to question the government/rulling body, as well as voicing public opinion as he/her is a representative of the people. Apparently, many people approached the monastery for answers relating to Tenpa Yarphel’s comments as they began to question the continued reliance on Nechung.

However, instead of being praised for speaking up, Tenpa Yarphel was widely criticised, even by some very high profile Tibetan figures as some thought that he went overboard questioning the Tibetan tradition of having State Oracles. Some even told off the MP and reminded him to bear in mind that he must put effort to unite the Tibetan people and the Tibetan cause. How ironic that Nechung is one of the contributing causes for the Dorje Shugden ban, that created and continue to create discrimination, ostracisation, incrimination and persecution of Dorje Shugden practitioners.

Whether or not to continue relying on Nechung is an issue for Tibetans to discuss, but for sure, the Shugden ban is clearly against an individual’s human right to religious freedom.
A famous Tibetan political activist, Jamyang Norbu spoke about the Shugden controversy and said: “Of course, people must be allowed their beliefs no matter how ridiculous or wrong we may perceive them. I believe people have the right to worship Shugden or any other deity they want, while the Dalai Lama as a spiritual leader certainly has the right to object to this on theological grounds and ask people to refrain from such practises. But that is not the problem. The trouble is that the Tibetan government has been inducted to implement the Dalai Lama’s proscription of Shugden worship.”

The ban must stop, producing and distributing literature and videos demonising Shugden worshippers must stop, and the lack of effort to discourage or condemn attacks on Shugden groups must also stop. I’m glad that more and more Tibetans are speaking up, directly and indirectly about the divide that was created because of the Dorje Shugden ban.

Nowadays when people speak about Nechung, they are NOT referring to the real Nechung deity who is a benevolent being and is helpful according to Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. Many high lamas and Tibetans believe that Nyatrul is taking trance in the current Nechung oracle. This is the result of the Tibetan Leadership’s heavy negative karma.

Nyatrul is said to be insistent on destroying Tibetan unity by posing as Nechung and giving wrong advice to the Tibetan Leadership. One can imagine to continue listening to Nyatrul will result in the Tibetan Leadership continue to make decisions that will bring them failure.

The Tibetan Leadership is very fortunate to have Tenpa Yarphel to speak up on the flaws to rely on the Nechung oracle. There are just too many false advices given among which is the most important one, for the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans to return to Tibet. By now, it should be obvious that it is a wrong prophecy because after 60 years the Tibetans still cannot return back to Tibet.

In addition, relying on an oracle for state matters is not a practise of a democratic government which includes religious freedom and human rights. Forcing people who do not believe in Nechung to listen to him and allowing him to decide their future is a breach of religious freedom and human rights – the freedom to practise any religion and the rights to choose one’s religion or belief.

By speaking up bravely, MP Tenpa Yarphel brought the flaws of the Tibetan Leadership into the limelight with the hope that more and more people will come forward to make change within the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). Until that is done, the Tibetans will continue to suffer from wrong advices with no hope for improvement.

Finally, a Tibetan politician who dares stand up for the RIGHT way to govern the Tibetan people. By relying on Nechung’s prophecy and advice on state affairs is operating on blind faith and this is NOT OK.

How can one make state matters decisions without a true understanding of the prophecy and language presented? Not to mention these predictions has been repeatedly inaccurate and has not had positive evidence towards Tibet. How can the Central Tibetan Government allow their people to suffer based on wrong or misinterpreted advice? The well-being of their people’s lives is in their hands. It is really quite unbelievable and sad.

Thank you, MP Tenpa Yarphel for speaking up. If your actions continue to have an impact, it will benefit many many people.

It is very refreshing to see this. I am quite surprised that Tenpa Yarphel dares to speak up against Nechung because we know that when he does this he is indirectly insulting the CTA and H.H. The Dalai Lama. Who is the one supporting Nechung and Nechung’s Monastery and paying the oracle’s bills?

What Tenpa Yarphel ask and said is valid questions and if you ask me, it should have been asked like a long time ago like in the previous life because didn’t Nechung prescribed the wrong medicine which resulted to the death of the 13th Dalai Lama?

It seems that Yarphel must have had many months of talks and meetings with his people to determined that these statements about Nechung were brought up. It shows that there is a lot of injustice in the Tibetan Administration and people are sick and tired of it. Tired of their fake hypocrisy, claiming to be a democratic administration but everyone knows it is not. In reality, where on earth have we ever heard that a government would use a “spirit”, Oracle or Gods to actually figure out how and make decisions for the whole nation? It is simply unheard of and it would be laughed at. So why is the CTA insisting on having Nechung like as if he was another MP?

I hope more and more people will speak up against the prejudice, bigotry, corrupt, hypocrisy that’s been practised in the Tibetan Government for centuries and even though this news does not mention anything about Dorje Shugden… it speaks volumes about the leaders behind the ban, the segregation, disharmony, and disunity of Tibetans. There is no need for Dorje Shugden to do anything… Nechung seems to be helping or plotting for the Tibetans fail. Don’t blame it on Dorje Shugden… he was the “good guy” who saved His Holiness the Dalai Lama and brought him safely to India.

To have MP Tenpa Yarphel to speak up and challenge the oracle system and how the Tibetan government in exile world is really something big. In democracy country, to speak your mind and your stand on certain policies of the country and challenge the status quo, is quite normal but not in Parliament of Tibetan government in exile. This shows the maturity of it’s democracy. Another thing is also telling how the oracle and oracle system; HH Dalai Lama were used by CTA to gain control over the Tibetans. They are neither have trust in the oracle and neither show respect HH Dalai Lama; all are for the convenience to gain power.

Tenpa Yarphel is truly a representatives of the Tibetan people, as he has speaks out the facts and give logical explanation of the reality & situation that is happening in the Tibetan society. He is a key witness in this long battle of what is causing the disharmony and segregration of the Tibetan sociery on their religion & human rights. (Demoncracy). He has brave himself to speak out the truth.

Thanks Rinpoche and the blog team for sharing on this topic. Thanks MP Tenpa Yarphel for speaking up!

There are so many things in Tibetan govern system that do not make sense, the consultation to Nechung is one of the illogical thing when they claim that they are democratic government. And really, they are the one and only government relying on non-human to make decision. Well, maybe we should respect their “culture” but I don’t understand why the wrong prophecies didn’t shaken their trust on Nechung. I wonder why Dalai Lama as an emanation of Chenrezig couldn’t judge Nechung’s decisions.

If Nechung’s prophecies could be wrong, his advise of banning Dorje Shugden practice could be wrong too. I hope the Tibetan government govern their people in logic way and make sure everyone enjoys equal freedom and right instead of letting not-so-reliable protector making wrong decisions.

I think Tenpa Yarphel sets a good precedence because he dares to challenge the status quo by questioning the establishment of the State Oracle of Nechung. This has tremendous consequence because it allows other seemingly infallible policies and edicts to be questioned as well. For many democratic countries, this is the norm but not within Tibetan society where the Dalai Lama’s establishment including the state oracle that was established by his previous incarnation is an infallible institution that was never questioned before.

Nevertheless, this impenetrable wall is cracking and this is the first of a series of major cracks that would see release the waters of truth. What Tenpa Yarphel spoke about is common knowledge to a lot of people but it was all hush-hush. In the past, such talk would be virtually suicide especially amongst the who’s who. Therefore, he must have rallied a lot of support to back him up and that he would even dare enough to mentioned these within the Tibetan parliament itself.

Needless to say, Tenpa Yarphel is really talking about the Dalai Lama’s policies and not really Nechung himself. However, that’s too direct and doing this would land him in greater trouble. Furthermore, he has made some links to the Shugden issue without mentioning it directly. But this is really a good start and may the issue one day is brought up and an real resolution is passed.

Thank you Tenpa Yarphel for so bravely voicing out your thoughts about the negative effects and even harm that the continued faith and trust by the Tibetan Government in Nechung’s prophesies have done to the Tibetans causing more disharmony and schism than peace and unity. What Tenpa Yarphel says is so logically correct. The continued reliance of The Tibetan Leadership Nechung’s often false prophesies and advice is most unreasonable and even dangerous.

The Tibetan Government may be about the only democratic government that relies on an oracle for advice both in state matters and in affairs of religion like in the case of Shugden! In any case , as a government that practices democracy, why is it interfering in the right and freedom of the Tibetans to engage in a religious practice of their choice?

For six decades nothing has been achieved by the Tibetan government for its people by
following Nechung’s advice. So ,as is pointed out by Mr Tenpa Yarphel, why continue to follow?

I once heard a friend commented that CTA is the only “government” in this world to blame a Buddhist deity for their own failure. from this article one would would see why it is so. I must add to my friend comment that (CTA is also the only “government” in the world that relied on a Buddhist deity/ oracle for major decision making !!!) not difficult to understand as why they do not make any progress after 50 years or more in exile.
now one of their own parliamentarian decided to speak out against it.

MP Tenpa Yarphel is most brave to speak up and voice his concern for the benefit of all Tibetans. As a monk, he is educated and respected by his community and what he said is plainly true for all to see. After so many decades of being in exiled with not even a slight progress in getting their country back, most Tibetans are beginning the doubt the effectiveness of the reliant on Nechung by their ruling government.

It is so obvious to everyone that the CTA is just making Nechung a scapegoat in their ploy in creating schism among the Tibetans. Why would a government want to split up its citizens based on their religious belief?

MP Tenpa Yarphel is very brave to voice out his opinions. I think he is for Tibetans to unite otherwise he would have kept quiet about the issues. Admit the mistake, change to improve, otherwise the situation will stay the same or becoming worst.

It is a fact that no democratic government in the world seek advice from spirit for their decisions. There are many countries that have developed and doing well without spirit consultation. On the other hand what CTA leadership has achieved all these years with all the advices from Nechung? 🤔

It is very brave for MP Tenpa Yarphel to speak up against Nechung openly for the Tibetan unity and harmony. I can feel that he is really care and concern for Tibetans to be united and can live together in harmony. 👍👏👏

What he has said makes a lot of sense. His concerns on the Tibetan government’s continued reliance on advice given by Nechung through the State Oracle is valid. Regardless of Nechung is a spirit or deity, how would a “government” can be so superstitious to rely on the advices of Nechung to dictate how they should rule and care for the people instead of putting real effort to look into social, economy and the overall political factors to rule it’s country and unite it’s people?

How could CTA follow the advice from Nechung during trance to segregate Dorje Shugden practitioners. A democratic government should not interfere it’s people religions and mix religions into politics and segregate some of it’s people just because of their religious belief. It is definitely not democratic at all.

I sincerely hope the CTA will really listen to voices from their people to unite their people and lift the Dorje Shugden ban. I wish Mr Tenpa Yarphel every success in his effort to unite his people and be safe. 🙏🙏🙏

I am all for spirituality. But spirituality and politics should never mix as these 2 are poles apart. As a government that professes to practice democracy, I fail to understand why CTA needs to rely on an oracle for its executive decisions. Worse still is how inaccurate the state oracle has been on many occasions.

I applaud Tibetan MP Tenpa Yarphel for courageously speaking out on behalf of the many who can’t because from what I read, those who have a difference of opinions from CTA will be ostracised and deemed Chinese spies, anti-Dalai Lama. Some would be physically threatened or harmed. I thank MP Tenpa Yarphel for taking such a bold step as this will help the world understand the reality of the Tibetan cause better.

Nechung has been proven over the past sixty years that his predictions through the oracle has been wrong. Nechung gave wrong advice to HH the Dalai Lama to remain in Tibet while Dorje Shugden told HH the Dalai Lama to flee Tibet. Dorje Shugden’s advice was accurate and saved HH the Dalai Lama’s life since then. The thing the puzzles me is HH the Dalai Lama has kept Nechung as the State Oracle of the CTA and invoked in all state affairs yet neither of his predictions came through. While this was going on, Dorje Shugden, for the last 400 years has continued to assist and help those who are destitute yet he was banned by the CTA. It is time for all Tibetans to wake up, listen to the illogical reasons behind the ban on Dorje Shugden. Even more so now when an elective Tibetan MP Tenpa Yarphel spoke up against Nechung recorded live in the Parliment.

The Tibetan leadership can say whatever they want. The fact remains is that they are the only “democracy” in the world that relies on oracles.

On top of that, depending on who they are speaking to, they’ll either highlight or downplay their reliance on oracles. If it’s to Tibetans, they’ll highlight their reliance so they emotionally manipulate the Tibetans into doing things i.e. “Nechung said so therefore you must do it this way or that way”.

To the West, they’ll downplay their reliance i.e. “We are a modern democracy, we don’t rely on such superstitious things”.

Look, whether or not they want to rely on oracles, that’s up to them. If they want to be a different kind of so-called “democracy” relying on oracles, that’s up to them. But to me at least, it’s just a sign that the leadership is ungrateful. They will use Nechung when it suits them, and ignore him when it suits them. And then they say they are proud of their culture? No, their culture and their religion is just another scheme designed to make themselves unique and attractive enough for people to donate money to.

So I can see why Tenpa Yarphel speaks up in frustration. Which one is it, CTA? Are you a unique autocracy relying on spirits, or a false democracy relying on spirits?

After 60 Years consulting Nechung over state matters by relying prophecies given is bringing Tibet nowhere near to independence. No wonder someone from the member of their parliament like MP Tenpa Yarphel is starting to have doubt over Nechung, looking at the given prophecies. And one of the most shocking one is the ban of Dorje Shugden, a practice which have a legacy of 400 years and has been one of the important practice in the school of Gelug.

Since the ban of Dorje Shugden in 1996, it has since became a political issue whereby Tibetans have to make a choice whether continue to practice or to follow CTA by giving up. And naturally, this is the main course of separation of families, friends and monasteries.

MP Tenpa Yarphel, is very brave to speak up his mind with logic and his point were clear for the betterment of Tibetan society in exile. Which government will actually supports disharmony and disunity among their countrymen as part of their plan to progress as one.

First of all, I would like to thank MP Tenpa Yarphel for bravely speaking up against Nechung. I would like to view this incident not so much from the point of view of Nechung or God or deity, but view it from the point of the overall structure of Tibetan Administration.

I feel what Tenpa is saying, though it seems like targetting Nechug or a deity, is Tibetan leadership should take the religion equation out of the Tibetan administration. CTA claimed that they are practicing democracy of the western world (may be this claim will get donations for Tibetans leadership much more easily), and if this is the case, the important decisions about the countries should be decided by the cabinet, not by Nechung or other deity. Many times, the decisions are still made by HH Dalai Lama and Nechung, which is not what a democratic country should practice.

I do hope that Tenpa is OK. There are many times where Tibetans voice up and they are being harassed, segregated, discriminated and bullied. And I hope more and more Tibetans are brave enough to voice up for the benefit of Tibetans.

How does Nechung show that his advice is something to follow, when he doesn’t exude compassion and kindness in his actions and prophecies?

“Nechung said Dorje Shugden is a negative spirit and his followers must give up the practice or be banned from Tibetan society”

This is in no way compassionate or reflective of how a true Buddhist should be. If Nechung was so powerful, he would have seen that his advice of banning Dorje Shugden would create so much suffering for others, why did Nechung still go ahead to advice this? It is opposite of compassion, and having the CTA rely on his prophecies is scary! How can one rely one prophecies stemming from an un-compassionate nature? No wonder there has been no progress since Tibetans went into exile!

MP Tenpa Yarphel is extremely sharp and courageous to speak his mind, and have logical opinions and conclusions at the Parliamentary meet. His points are salient, and more need to be like him to speak up.

Nechung monastery’s reply to what MP Tenpa Yarphel shows that they have no concrete argument/proof to clarify otherwise. If not, why would they continue to ask people to just believe, have strong faith, and not question when there are evidently, strong points raised that needs attending to? The Gelug school is based on debate to strengthen faith and knowledge, and it looks like MP Tenpa Yarphel has clearly won this.

After 60 years of consulting the Nechung Oracle, either the prophecy does not fulfil or sometimes it is wrong of course people will start to question. And it took the Tibetans 60 years to finally realise that and be brave enough to question CTA. Tibetans people are not encouraged to ask or to voice out what they think, logic is nothing they are familiar with, they do what they are told. But as the Tibetan are more exposed to the world outside, getting more information from all around the world, they finally realise CTA is full of deception and that consulting Oracle for a country’s future is ridiculous!

I believe there are many Tibetans who doubts what CTA is doing but dare not say it out loud. Tibetan MP Tenpa Yarphel’s speech might encourage more Tibetans to speak up. Tibetans have to realise CTA works for them, they are CTA’s boss. CTA have to listen to what the people want and take care of Tibetan’s welfare. Choose a leader who has the best interest of the Tibetans, not for him or herself.

We definitely need more people like Tenpa Yarphel that is vocal and speak up for the truth. To me, relying on a spirit for the directions on ruling a country is very backward, we do not see any of the advanced countries in the world would consult spirit for the ruling of their country. We do not see Trump or Xi consult a spirit in front of their nation, and the president was being told off by the spirit in front of his people, what a joke? but this happened to their Sikyong.

Religion and politics should not be mixed. Obviously for the past 60 years, CTA’s strategy has failed his people. Or are there really genuine strategies to get their country back? It seems more like CTA is using the Dalai Lama’s influence, their so-called patriotic people and the ban on Dorje Shugden for their ulterior motives, that ultimately only benefit the very few top ranked in CTA, for example the sikyong.

There were so many cases happened in the past that Nechung gave wrong prophecy and CTA knew that. There are no other reasons CTA have to rely on spirit to cover their laziness, selfishness and most importantly, from the karmic point of view, there are destroying themselves by mistreating their spiritual leader the 14th Dalai Lama for their self needs. Democracy is freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom for whatever the nation wants to do without breaking the law. The sad truth is the tibetans who are suffering still support such corrupted government and follow blindly what they were told to do. Time to wake up, Tibetans.

This is something which always amaze me with the Tibetans…. Nechung / Nyatrul has been making false prophecies for a while now and the Tibetans know this very well. Why do they still rely on his prophecies? Isn’t there a saying “once bitten, twice shy”

CTA need to have more outspoken speakers representing them, I am sure there are more Tenpa Yarphel around but they are suppressed or they rather don’t talk/ care. It is so vital for CTA to succeeed to actually have more logic in their parliament. The world is watching. Is time to change.

Thank you for sharing this article. It exposed a lot of what have been going on within the Tibetan government in exile in India since 1959. It gives the reader a better idea of the situation and the extent of the role played by Nechung in the decision making of CTA. I believe the Tibetan MP Tenpa Yarphel has exposed the truth of how CTA has been managing the so called “country” in India. After reading the article, I felt for the Tibetan who have made the choice to follow the Dalai Lama. Due to the negligence of CTA in running their community well, the lives of the Tibetan there have not advanced.

Thank you for sharing this article with us. This is very interesting because someone in the parliament of CTA actually stood up and disagrees skillfully and indirectly with H.H Dalai lama. Nechung oracle had always been a prominent figure in the Tibetan Government and in Tibetan Buddhism. The oracel had been giving prophesies and advises on secular and spiritual matters. H.H Dalai lama had been consulting the oracle even on important matters such as state affairs. However, this system does not suit in modern day. People had learn to depend on themselves on decision making more than a spiritual entity.

On the other hand, the oracle had been giving false prophesies and wrong advice which eventually contributed to the death of the 13th Dalai Lama. The Tibetan Government should really reconsider about taking advice from a spiritual being which proved to be inaccurate from time to time. They should be more responsible in decision making and not rely so much on the oracle. Not taking any responsibility and putting the fate of their country and people into the hands of an entity that you cant even see. It is just not logical and irresponsible.

This meme is powerful. Who you hang around with and the types of attitude they have is who you will be influenced by many times and who you will become in the future. Look at your friends and the people that always surround you to know who you will become.

Recently Beng Kooi and Martin on behalf of myself and Kechara was lucky to have audience with His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal of Gaden Shartse Monastery. He lives in around Paris, France. His Holiness is 91 years old and very healthy and alert. He was the 101st throne holder for Tsongkapa and was the head of the Gelugpa school of Buddhism and was very successful during his tenure. He is a strong practitioner of both Sutra and Tantra of Je Tsongkapa’s tradition and a master of all Buddhist knowledge. He holds steadfast to his protector Dorje Shugden very strongly. So we can see even the highest throneholders who are masters of Sutra and Tantra also practices Dorje Shugden knowing the benefits.

Beng Kooi and Martin brought photo albums of Kechara Forest Retreat/Kechara and updates on Kechara and our works. His Holiness was very pleased to listen and offered some gifts back.

This is a beautiful picture and the great blessings bestowed on us from His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal.

Tenpa Yarphel is very brave and skilful to voice his opinion on Nechung. He will definitely face a lot of strong opposition from the Dalai Lama’s follows and CTA. Hopefully with him speaking up, they are move to follow him to speak up.

Tibetan need to wake up and speak up… Evidence has shown that many prophecies made by Nechung has not materialised and in fact caused damage and disharmony by segregating and discriminating those who practice Dorje Shugden amount the Tibetan. Tibet is the only country in this world that I know of that rely on an oracle to made a decision in parliament. The sad part is CTA still follow Nechung advice even after six decades of unreliable divination and prophecies.

Hope more and more Tibetans speak out their mind like the Tibetan MP Venerable Tenpa Yarphel. It is a democratic world and everyone should have freedom in their religion and beliefs. Tibetan society is supposed to be based on the principles of democracy but unfortunately, the advice given by the oracle has instead created division and segregation. It is really sad to know that in this democratic world, DS practitioners in Tibet are not allowed to attend any spiritual gatherings with the Dalai Lama, enroll into Tibetan schools, use Tibetan hospitals, work in the Tibetan exiled government and even dine at certain Tibetan restaurants. We should sign a petition to STOP this discrimination.

It is good news that Tibetan MP Venerable Tenpa Yarphel speaks up against Nechung. Why would a democratic country listen to an oracle to seek advise for the country governance and administration? It just puzzled me. If Nechung is right, why isn’t the country and people progressing but divided further with the Dorje Shugden ban? What more Nechung is an not enlightened dharma protector. It was proven that so many Nechung’s prophecies was wrong but none would question and CTA would still follow the wrong advice. The CTA leaders continue to segregate, discriminate and remove all the human rights against Dorje Shugden practitioners such as education, medical, religion and etc. This is so illegal.

In this age, we should be able to think and fight for our rights. I hope more people like Venerable Tenpa Yarphel will speak up against the unfair Tibetan leadership towards their people. Everyone should be treated equally and especially for a Buddhism country.

People out at Tibet and India are still practicing Dorje Shugden, even people people within still practice Dorje Shugden. The concern is “Is there anyone that is confronting anyy negative consequences?” The sacred practice of Dorje Shugden has been passed down for more than. 400 years and it’s a common and main practice of Tibetan Buddhist. It’s illogical and irrational to stop without any solid reason.

I am glad tibetan like Venerable Tenpa Yarphel speech up against Nechung. Is time for tibet exile gorvernment to reliaze Nechung has brought so many trouble for tibet. Why CTA still get advice who always make mistake and unclear message. It is ok for CTA just follow mistaken advice and blame Nechung at the end which tibetan don’t want take responsibility. This article has spoke most of the point not reliance for wordly protector message. It sad people still blindly follow advice without checking and cause segregate between tibetan community. In this case ban on Dorje Shugden practice. Tibet leader must stop all this and focus their energy more democracy and bring hormony in their community. Stop criticize Dorje Shugden practice specially follow worldy protactor like Nechung advice.

It is really good that there’s people like Tenpa Yarphel who speaks up about this issue. It’s like a big slap to the CTA and the Tibetan in exile, which creates a question in their head, why the CTA and H.H Dalai Lama still want to consult Nechung, since he is not an enlightened protector and made so many mistakes in the past?
A good leader of a country is viewed how well he leads the country, unite the people, democratic, develop the country, so that everyone in the country live in harmony. Not how well he consult an oracle, yet an unenlightened protector, listen fully to him and segregate his people, discriminate his people practice and believe, label them, and separate them into groups and categories. I really hope they (the CTA and Tibetan in exile) will realize this one day.🙏🙏

It takes a lot of courage for MP Tenpa Yarphel to speak up against the reliance of Nechung in the CTA. His statement brings me to the attention of there is also a growing resentment within the CTA camp on the staunch practice of seeking advice from an ineffective oracle. I really feel for Tenpa Yarphel and wonder what will CTA do to him after seeing this video and statement made. Most likely he will be branded as spy and paid by China to do this like all the sort of abuse Rinpoche would normally get from all sorts of Tibetan named accounts. This is just another blow to CTA in which many would agree with me that CTA has done nothing much for the people in exile or at least do something to mend back relation with China to have a possibility of animosity as always been advocated by The Dalai Lama.

It’s really courageous and brave of Venerable Tenpa Yarphel speaks up against of CTA management. In fact, religion shouldn’t involved with politics. In this case, this is the proof of two things complicate. Involving of spirits to help obtain good management or fortune it out of logic. Politics only believe in practical and logics.

How would ever Tibet be free if CTA only relied on trance and not speak on their people welfare?

Venerable Tenpa Yarphel showed great courage to voice up and pointed out that if the Tibetan Government-in-Exile is really practice democracy, basically no one will be discriminated and segregated regardless of ethnic group, gender, religious and etc. The people should work together for the growth of the state instead of just listened or seek advice from Nechung and ultimate decisions are still come from HH the Dalai Lama in spite of his retirement from politics.
Miraculously， Tibetan community continues to believe the Nechung although they have experienced the false prophecies given by Nechung with the possible reason that no one can fully understand the language that Nechung speaks.

Hope there are more people like Ven. Tenpa Yarphel stand firm and continue to speak up for truth just to benefit and bring no harm to the people.

Why does Dalai Lama and Lobsang Sangye still want to consult Nechung for advice when he is already giving wrong advice? Can’t they see or realize that the advice that Nechung gave did not show any result or progress in their livelihood. Tibetans have to really start thinking for themselves and think logically and not follow blindly what people say. Nechung himself is a spirit and calling Dorje Shugden a spirit is bad. He is also bad for creating this segregation amongst the Tibetans.

Great Dharma King Nechung? Gave wrong information and while taking trance, and even the translator of Nechung don’t even know what ” He ” said. And also – gave false prophecy leading to His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama Thubten Gyatso fleeing to China to escape the British Invasion of Tibet in 1903 led by Colonel Younghusband; the death of the 13th Dalai Lama after being given wrong medication.

It’s very good to have people like MP Tenpa Yarphel to speak up and question the rest of the members. What I still can’t get is why does HHDL and his people still take advice from an unenlightened protector? And to make mistakes again and again show how unreliable Nechung can be. After 50+ years and loss of Tibet, what is really going to happen to the future of the Tibetans in exile if they continue to consult a spirit who is leading them nowhere?

Surely the CTA can think and strategize their moves without an oracle? Well, they are very good in thinking ways to discriminate, segregate and ostracize Dorje Shugden practitioners, so why don’t they think harder for other matters? The Tibetans need to be united for common goals.

It takes gall for MP Tenpa Yarphel to speak up against the reliance of Nechung in the CTA because the Tibetan Department of Religion and Culture is under the administration of the CTA. What he said is frank and he has the right to his opinions but I wonder how well did Lobsang Sangye and the rest of his cronies take it. Would they label Tenpa Yarphel a traitor and a China paid spy? CTA sure did condemn many Tibetans, lay people and ordained sangha members, as such when these Tibetans refused to give up on Dorje Shugden. The CTA, since its inception almost 60 years ago, is one of the weakest and worst governments in the world even though they rely on a god or gods. Else they would not have lost Tibet. Sure, CTA can blame everything on karma but they did not want to admit it is their negative karma that brought about the loss of their country. The negative karma brought about from mismanaging money sponsored by kind benefactors for the welfare of the Tibetan people living outside of Tibet.

What Venerable Tenpa Yarphel as the minister of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile voice up is totally valid and it’s good to point out the what is not working and bringing damages to the Tibetan. His comments is not plucking from the sky in fact everyone able to witness what had Nechung advised, the result causes disunity and disharmony.

No government will tolerate separation within their country. With Nechung saying Dorje Shugden is a spirit and supported with the Tibetan leadership action to materialise the separation is causing a huge damages not only to their people but directly to their cause bring their people back to Tibet. Logically how would a government negotiate for freedom (middle way) with their people being disunity and disharmony? CTA should use logic to govern and put their people interest as their top priority. This is what being practice by all leaders.

Not only the member of the Parliament has the right to voice up on this matter but even the people of Tibet has every right to question because it causing harm to them. From this situation it’s way way too far for CTA to be able to negotiate for their freedom. What they need to do is to bring unity and confident not only from their people but also the eye from the world.

It is great to see more Tibetans speaking up against the CTA ruling and the discriminations, indeed Nechung is not any small protector who has no power, hundreds of years ago Nechung was subdued by Padmasambhava and he has been protecting the Doctrine of Padmasambhava, and even to the arising of Dorje Shugden is also due to the effort of Nechung, so from this, we can see that Nechung is one of the great Protector even though he is not enlightened, but for his contributions to today’s Dharma is undeniable.

But from the recent years, Nechung seems to be making mistakes after mistakes, have you think about why is that so? If Nechung has no certain level of attainment, he would not succeeded the legacy of Dorje Shugden, and if Dalai Lama is not Avalokitesvhara, then how can he come back lifetime after lifetime to contribute to the growth of the Dharma? But how come now they manifested in such situation, I definitely believe there is a reason behind and with the level of my mind, I would not understand why is that, despite with these controversial issues, my faith to Dalai Lama has never reduced.

If you said DS practitioners cannot attend Dalai Lama’s Dharma talk, ok, I can still understand, but if being a DS practitioners, we cannot attend public talk, Tibetan’s events, going to schools, hospitals, hotels, etc, this really doesn’t make sense, whether they are DS practitioners or not, they are still Tibetans, they are Tibet’s citizens, how can such unfair treatment to their own people and CTA is claiming that DS is splitting the Tibetans apart, now what I see is CTA are the ones splitting the Tibetans with such treatments towards DS practitioners.

Thank you Venerable Tenpa Yarphel for speaking up, now can see that more and more Tibetans speaking up and compared to the in the olden eras, internet today is very convenient and many younger Tibetans are exposed to all types of informations and they are intelligent enough to question any doubts they have. Wish more people will speak up against these discriminations.

Venerable Tenpa Yarphel is indeed brave and skillful to voice his strong opinion on Nechung as he is surely will get strong opposition from the Dalai Lama’s followers. However, it takes only one to make a stand and hopefully more will follow.

History has shown that the advise given by Nechung over years has not been accurate which results in very negative consequences BUT the CTA still relies on him to make decisions in parliament. In this day and age, we have not heard of any country in this world which uses an oracle to make decisions for their country except for the CTA. Any democratic government will use the power of their votes to move any motion in Parliament (after debates and discussion) so that their voice is heard. That is what a voted MP should be doing for their people who put them into power.

The wave of change is coming when more people are learned and more information is readily available.

Venerable Tenpa Yarphel, a minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile (Central Tibetan Administration) gave a short speech, showed his sincere concerns about the government’s continued reliance on advice given by Nechung through the State Oracle. This is a great break through because none is dare to talk about this in public as this is indirectly saying Dalai Lama is wrong relying Nechung for all states and religious decisions.

As time passed, it proves that there were many wrong decisions given by Nechung. The Tibetan society based on the principles of democracy but Nechung doesn’t support this by creating segregation. The worst inaccurate prophecy was Nechung advised 14th Dalai Lama to remove Dorje Shugden practice because Dorje Shugden was conflicting with Pelden Hlamo and Nechung himself, causing slowing down the return of the Tibetans to Tibet. Nechung said Dorje Shugden should be banned.

All these wrong prophecies and decisions had brought so much segregation and sufferings to Tibetan people. Why Nechung as a protector made such decisions to worsen the welfare and unity of the Tibetan? Why the language spoken by Nechung not capable of being understood? It seems like Tibetan government takes no responsibility on every actions relying on the inaccurate prophecies of Nechung.

Tibetans are tired of the CTA with their corrupted and selfish policies that caused divide, segregation, double standard among people. The CTA is clearly losing support from its own people. Tibetan people, who care about their nation, please stand up and step forward. People with brave and pure heart like Venerable Tenpa Yarphel are needed to reform a better Tibetan Leadership. Time has come to unite the Tibetan people. Tibetan people deserve peace and harmony.

The two minute footage is taken from the documentary “The Oracle – Keeper of Wisdom” The footage mentioned that Nechung is one of the influencers in the Dalai Lama’s decision making although it has been proven again and again that Nechung’s predictions are inaccurate. Although the Dalai Lama also mentioned that he uses common sense and divination before making important decisions, why maintain an oracle that often give inaccurate predictions?

Nechung was a being subdued by Padmasambhava, yet Dorje Shugden manifested from Tulku Dragpa Gyeltsen, who was a high lama of many lifetimes.

When in trance, the the pronunciations of Dorje Shugden are expertly translated by trained monks, and even the Qing Emperors had a good word to say about Dorje Shugden oracle and premonitions. It was clear also that, His Holiness Trijang Rinpoche relied on Dorje Shugden to advice His Holiness the Dalai lama to feel for India for his life when China in 59 had some machinations on the Dalai Lama. The same I cannot say about Nechung as the protector.

One interesting also about this article highlighted, is that why should Nechung’s advice from a dharmapala bring about more disunity amongst Tibetans and spiritual practitioners? That is not the role or function of a dharma protector. A dharma protector helps, protects sentient beings, and guides them not to create more negative karma.

Nechung is known as unenlightened protector, and yet the Tibetan Government in exile (CTA) are still depends on Nechung on most of the matter to be decide. I wonder it is they are trying to push the responsible to Nechung so that the CTA are not going to be questions by their people on the failure they did and they could conveniently push the responsible to Nechung.

The act CTA Ban a enlighten Protector who are emanation of Manjushri and heavily depends on the spirit that Padmasambava had subdued. What is the CTA up to?

Further the there are only 1 or 2 monks who are able to understand what Nechung speak. What if the CTA have bad intention to use Nechung as scapegoat, and purposely translate wrong on what Nechung speak to further bring benefit to CTA? Then everyone out of fear, would have to obey on what have Nechung speak. It is so correct on what Venerable Tenpa Yarphel said about Nechung language. Who can be sure what is exactly talk by Nechung and determine what Nechung said is correct through translation?

I fully agreed on Venerable Tenpa Yarphel that Buddhist teaching do not teach us to rely on oracle to make decision. Buddhism taught us about Karma. When we know we have karma, it is our own responsible to take charge. And not blame everything to God, in this case Nechung.

Venerable Tenpa Yarphel is absolutely right on the ban of Dorje Shugden. One of the reason Dorje Shugden have to be ban is because Nechung said so and said that Dorje Shugden is a demon. I wonder how an unenlightened protector could differentiate the protector is enlighten or not.

50 years gone, it creates more conflict within Tibetan Refugees. More confuse and serious violation of human rights. And ironically, this human rights violation happened within own Tibetan refugees community. I thanks Venerable Tenpa Yarphel for being so wisdom and clear on what is happening in Tibetan refugees camp and asking to stop the conflict by lifting the ban. So that the harmony can be restore. The letter from Nechung Monastery is obviously a personal attacked to Venerable Tenpa Yarphel It shows so much anger in this letter.

Either Nechung or Nyatrul take trance in oracle, the Tibetan Government should not rely heavily on oracles to make decision for them.

I thanks Venerable Tenpa Yarphel for speaking up with courage. I hope that the Tibetan sincerely see that Venerable care for them, thus he have spoke up to protect them .

Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this news . Finally some one really speak up truthfully

Tibetan government in exile has a unspoken policy to alienate, brow beat and even threaten members of their refugee community who do not agree with their policies. The enact the ‘herd effect’. They know most of the Tibetan refugees will follow what they say blindly, so if they designate a negative label on one of their members, they know the Tibetans will follow suit and continue what they started while they sit back and watch and act innocent. Tibetan govt in exile likes to look innocent as it’s easier to collect foreign aid to live on even after 60 years of being refugees.

1. They hire and pay Tibetans and foreigners to go on social media campaigns to smear individual reputations. Also to ‘show’ the public that they people they are targeting do not have support of the public. This is a common practice pre-social media days where they use word of mouth of public denouncements.

2. They immediately label or call a person a Chinese spy, informant and paid by the Chinese. To be labelled anything to do with Mainland China can land you in big trouble within Tibetan refugee communities that can lead to violence.

3. They brow beat you and embarrass you and segregate you until you conform.

Tenpa Yarphel is a member of Tibetan parliament, now he is called a Chinese informant and paid some more. This is what the Tibetan government in exile has done to Dorje Shugden practitioners to segregate them to force them to give up their religious practice.

Tibetan govt in exile allows no freedom of genuine speech, religious worship or freedom of government.

The Indians in India are catching up to the slimy mechanics of the Tibetan govt in exile and starting to speak up. More Indians will speak up in the future. Because Tibetan refugees are not refugees but label themselves that to get all the privileges and benefits from the charitable countries as well as preserving their special status in India. Indians are getting tired of all this. This article from India is the signs and loud hints of people getting tired of the Tibetan government in exile and how they herd their ignorant populace- https://www.tibetsun.com/news/2017/10/05/tibetans-in-arunachal-pradesh-face-wrath-of-locals

There seems to be sufficient evidence to prove to the world that the many prophecies made by Nechung has not materialised and in fact has caused damage to the cause for freedom for Tibet and it’s people. Six decades of unreliable divinations and prophecies must be sufficient to wake anyone up to this fact. So MP Thenpo Yharpel is not wrong to bring this up. He cares for Tibet and the people and hence dared to speak up. Fortunately brave and wise people like him still exists – gives some relief to know there’s still hope !! Many more should follow his lead and speak up. Otherwise the whole nation will soon disappear under the leadership of CTA !!

Politics mixed with religion is always not my cup of coffee. I pray and hope that the Dalai Lama and Tibetan government is aware of Nechung’s oracle advice is right or wrong. And hope Dalai Lama would lift the ban ASAP before things gets worse. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for sharing this article 🙏

These is the begining ,now one brave and courage MP Tenpo Yarphel speaks up against Nechung, He spoke openly in regards to the government’s reliance on Nechung. Its seem that the Nechung Oracle has given inaccurate prophecies on a few occasions.
examples..medicines prescribed to the 13th Dalai Lama that ended in his passing and the disastrous advice to attack the British army, which caused more than 600 Tibetan deaths.These incorrect predictions have led to tremendous damage to the Tibetan cause.
To this day,it was still consulted even with proven records of inaccurate predictions.
MP Tenpo spoken the truth and will inspired more and more people to speak up .
The ban of Dorje Shugden is therefore unnecessary and illogical .
Politics should not mixed with religion anywhere the world. Once mixed it will lead to misunderstanding and cause more harm than harmony Religion can influence law, however, they should be separate entities.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing….interesting read
Wish that H.H. the Dalai Lama, the Buddha of Compassion, will end the ban and suffering of so many people.

Venerable Tenpa Yarphel is a voice of reason speaking up in a sea of confusion . Speaking up against Nechung, he rightly questions the continued reliance of the Tibetan government on Nechung for the following reasons :

1) Nechung has proven to be most unreliable, having given many false prophecies and advice, with dire consequences. He labelled Dorje Shugden as a spirit, and with that he caused thousands of Tibetans practicing Shugden (a practice given to them by their root Gurus) to be segregated and marginalised from mainstream society. It is most undemocratic for Nechung to go counter to the spirit of freedom of religion , a hallmark of democracy.

2)Nechung speaks in an “unintelligible” language. The few monks who claim to be able to understand and cipher what he says cannot be checked and verified for their authenticity.

There should never be a mixing of state matters and religion by the Tibetan Government. Basing important decisions with such far reaching effects, like banning the practice of Dorje Shugden on Nechung’s advice , is most improper of any government .

Yes, people like the Venerable Tenpa Yarphel are brave as they stand for the truth and speak the truth with reason and logic. Their voices must not be quelled in the interest of democracy and for the sake of the future of Tibet and Tibetans .

I cannot believe how anyone can place their trust and belief in something that is clearly fallible, and for a long time too. This must stop. It’s better to review the whole situation and make corrections before it is really too late.

Parliamentarian Tenpa Yarphel has certainly striked a positive note in the Tibetan Parliament. He was clever not to use the taboo word to oppose the segregation in the Tibetan society. There could be other parliament members in the CTA who also share the same sentiment as Tenpa Yarphel but dare not speak out for fear of repercussion. I hope Tenpa Yarphel will set a precedence to many others in the Tibetan Parliament to voice out their concern to argus well a motion and set free Dorje Shugden in the true spirit of democracy.

Politics and religion are like oil and water which cannot mix. Playing with politics and religion spell deep trouble and conflict. This is the 21st century is time Tibetans learn to separate this impending issue quickly and professionally for a progressive and harmonious society.

Affairs of the state and that of the national religious order should never to mixed. It is often experienced that when the political leaders are weak or unable to achieve any success in their manifesto, they would turn to religious affairs to create confusion and most of all to create disharmony and disunity. This method of governance is called “Divide and Rule”. Extremely dangerous method for the people.

CTA has definitely created “Divide and rule” among the Tibetans over the issue of propitiation of Dorje Shugden.

If the Ban on Dorje Shugden which is creating so much disharmony and discrimination among Tibetans, why is it not appropriate for MP Tenpa Yarpel to speak up and question against Nechung?

It is alarming to note how the reply was given to Tenpa Yarphel by the Nechung Monastery and it is very obvious that CTA will never rule with democracy of which the constitution is all about.

The constitution was drafted in 1960 under the hands of the Dalai Lama, how can the Dalai Lama permit Nechung to rule against freedom of religion within the constitution.

I have always believed that the Lama especially one of such high level and status as the Dalai Lama, controls the protectors like Nechung and not the other way around.

Interesting article but not logical in accordance to the Dharma which is based on debate of clear and right views.

I am a Dorje Shugden practitioner as given by my Guru, HE the 25th Tsem Rinpoche. Rinpoche has been very skillfully brining information and awareness to all about the Dorje Shugden ban and its ill effects on all, not just to Shugden practitioners.

This article opens up the long and unending debate of mixing religion and politics. The Tibetan situation is made more complicated as the so-called government in exile is technically can be non recogniseable in the eyes of other legitimate government where they have a proper tri-cameral system in place (judiciary, legislative and executive branches).

I believe that the CTA issue will prolong and the solution will not be insight within the medium term.

However, as Dharma practitioners, we must clear any misconceptions or misunderstandings that people may have on Dorje Shugden and explain clearly to everyone on the ban.

May there be compassion in all and may a peaceful solution be found soonest for all to reconcile as One Tibet.

Mixing politics and religion is always a slippery slope and more often than not brings more detriment and harm. Yet sadly history has shown that time and time again the temptation of greed and power tend to blind certain people entrusted with authority, to the bigger picture of overall harm. And the case with Tibet is but another repeat of such sad history.

It is clear that such unfortunate situation can be done away if CTA truly properly implement democratic governance (instead of just paying lip-service to get financial gains). The essence of a genuine modern democratic government is the existence of a check and balance with;

(i) the majority rule being endorsed and limited by the supreme law of the constitution, which protects the rights of individuals

(ii) tyranny whether by minority over the majority OR by the majority against minorities, is barred and not acceptable.

At the end of the day, to make official state related decisions and put the decisive power on an unelected and not constitutionally endorsed party (deity/oracle) obviously contradict claims of being a democratic government. More so when such prophecies/decisions result in disharmony, schism, oppression, discrimination or harm to the people. Not to mention the lack of executive/government accountability to blame each of their failures on gods or deities.

However, it might not be as clear cut with the Tibetans’ case. Given the culture and mindset of Tibetans, some might even argue that religion has and always will be weaved into overall Tibetans’ way of life and to discount religion totally would be the idealistic and patronising approach from those who don’t really take into account the nuances of Tibetan culture and mindset.

Reference to the mention in the Tibetan charter/constitution that “His Holiness the Dalai Lama has offered a democratic system to Tibetans, in order that the Tibetan People in-Exile be able to preserve their ancient traditions of spiritual and temporal life, unique to the Tibetans” has been used to argue that there is still “Tibetan democracy” with some localisation of democratic principles (which some other democratic countries/governments have done).

However, such line of thought is but another attempt at distorting the facts. As much as “His Holiness the Dalai lama has offered a democratic system to Tibetans, in order that the Tibetan People in-Exile be able to preserve their ancient traditions of spiritual and temporal life, unique to the Tibetans” , it is also clear in the Tibetan charter that the Tibetan democratic system is to be “based on the principles of peace and non-violence, aimed at providing political, social and economic rights as well as the attainment of justice and equality for all Tibetan people”

By the same logic,

(i) even if arguably the consultation with oracles or any religious rituals is not constitutionally wrong according to Tibetan charter, it still has to be the case where fundamentally the end decision by the government does not (A) disrupt peace and harmony within Tibetans (B) infringe on any constitutional rights (C) impedes on justice and equality for all Tibetan people.

(ii) thus, any such prophecies which create tremendous schism, disharmony, harm and confusion within the Tibetans ought to be discarded in accordance with the spirit of the Tibetan charter.

Based on examining both possible scenarios, it is clear that the issues lie deeper than Nechung prophecies or any consultation of religious deity. The real issue is CTA’s questionable and obviously problematic manner of arbitrary governance. On that note, the fact that (i) more and more are speaking up and publicly taking CTA to task and (ii) decrease in disapproval, public censure or blatant negative repercussion for publicly questioning CTA is an encouraging sign towards addressing the root cause.

After all, with more and more demanding accountability, CTA will not be able to continue and get away with all of CTA’s lies and deceptions which are detrimental to Tibetans including the Dorje Shugden ban.

As a Shugden practitioner, I feel its a positive development for Tibetan politics and also a major crack in the dam that is the Shugden ban. Although I am not Tibetan but I have been following the latest development in the Shugden issue mainly through Rinpoche’s articles and other online sources. Rinpoche has been tireless in his explanation about the ban and its implications that many of his students are pretty well versed about it. It is through knowledge and awareness that Rinpoche is fighting this ban.

Although Tenpa Yarphel did not specifically talk about the Shugden issue but his euphemism about spirits and disharmony is pretty obvious to the average Tibetans. He is pretty direct of his opposition of Nechung and indirectly the Dalai Lama’s policies and specifically the Shugden issue. The fact, that opposition has been brought up in Tibetan parliament and by a Kagyu monk makes it a powerful and irreversible development. This statement I feel will start a precedence for more to speak up. It will not be immediate but it will definitely happen.

I believe the Shugden ban has been nothing but trouble for all Tibetans, regardless of being Shugden practitioners or followers of the Dalai Lama. The ban had placed a huge chasm in Tibetan society and many people are at wits end dealing with it. The ban really has no place in this day and age and the Tibetans eventually just want the segregation to end. That is why this statement by Tenpa Yarphel is really welcomed and may it usher more liberal minded Tibetan ministers who would speak their mind and for the people and end this dreaded ban on Dorje Shugden

What MP Tenpa Yarphel raised on a statutory level is very valid and should be given proper answer by the Head of State. Key question like why a “democratic state” rely on prophecy from Nechung Oracle takes trance need to be answered clearly. The fact that the prophecy had been erroneous must NOT be dismissed because the prophecy promotes segregation among the Tibetans, and known to have a long track record of harmful effect towards several Dalai Lamas.

Since the language spoken by the Oracle during trance can only be understood by a couple of monks, yet no one really know how these monks learn the language; it is highly questionable for the prophecy to be continued used as the source of state instruction. This reminds me of the story we are so familiar with: “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”

Allowing state affair to be based on prophecy of a deity, regardless who, undermine the teaching of Buddha.

Buddha Dharma teaches us, human, to use logical think, understand the teaching and apply spirituality in our day-to-day life. The teaching is suitable for people of all level, from peasants to kings. We have seen successful Buddhist rulers from the past (e.g. Emperor Ashoka, Emperor Kangxi) who applied Buddha Dharma and led the kingdom into great prosperity where Buddhism shine and grow.

Now, if the leaders are not practising Buddha Dharma but rely on prophecy from oracle taking trance, does that not mean that Buddhism is a religion of unreliable superstitions? What more when this unreliable superstitions brought about a lot of segregation and discrimination while instigating schism among the people, e.g. towards the Dorje Shugden people?

In the secular world of democracy, religion and politics do not mix and are mutually exclusive. When you mix religion with politics, it is nothing but a potent mix of a time bomb.

In this case, if Nechung’s language is not intelligible to many, if not all of the lay Tibetans, and his prophecies are open to misinterpretation and used as a tool of control. This can be seen as using the oracle to create a dictatorship. This is becoming a concern which is probably why Tibetan MP Tenpa Yarphel felt that he had to speak up.

So, something has to be done so that the reputation of the Tibetans’ move for democracy is not seen to be spurious. Tibetan MP Tenpa Yarphel is indeed a very brave man to speak up. But, I guess, it is out of his love for his country, culture and future.

The representative of the Kagyu order of Buddhism MP Tenpa Yarphel has spoken up against Nechung. Nechung is very much promoted by Dalai Lama and therefore Tenpa speaking up would be indirectly ‘attacking’ the Dalai Lama’s choice of protectors. No one can comment, criticize the choices of protectors or any decisions by the Dalai Lama. This is an unspoken rule. This might not bode well in a undemocratic society such as the Tibetans. Tibetans are not democratic and are ruled by a God King (HH Dalai Lama). No opposition is allowed to his rule.I lived in Dharamsala for a few years and all the power in the Tibetan government in exile is with the Dalai Lama. No doubt about that. Even now in Dalai Lama’s retirement, he is still the power behind the government.

There are Tibetans calling for Tenpa Yarphel’s resignation simply because he spoke his mind. He committed no crime. But speaking against anything by the Dalai Lama is a crime in this case Dalai Lama’s choice of relying on Nechung for all advice and decisions. Unwritten as it may be, it is the case. Many Tibetans are tired of Nechung and his interferences within Tibetan govt and happy Tenpa has spoken up. Tenpa wants the Tibetan govt. to make decisions without gods, oracles and Nechung as he finds them disruptive, archaic and backwards. No govt in the world relies on oracles for decisions. He would like everyone to move into the 21st Century as he puts it. Reasonable thinking. He feels Nechung has created tremendous schism and the confusion arising from all this must stop. People must take responsibility for the government decisions and not oracles and gods he says. 🙏

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KECHARA FOREST RETREAT PROGRESS UPDATES

Here is the latest news and pictorial updates, as it happens, of our upcoming forest retreat project.

The Kechara Forest Retreat is a unique holistic retreat centre focused on the total wellness of body, mind and spirit. This is a place where families and individuals will find peace, nourishment and inspiration in a natural forest environment. At Kechara Forest Retreat, we are committed to give back to society through instilling the next generation with universal positive values such as kindness and compassion.

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Lin Mun

Wednesday, Feb 21. 2018 09:35 PM

Thank you Rinpoche for this teaching and reminder. We always think we have so much time and concentrate so much in making our body look good and using it to generate wealth which in the end didn’t bring us anything happiness that can last long. We should in fact use our temporary body to work on bringing benefit on others and to generate more merits that can help ourselves and others. Hence we should do more dharma and not waste our time on unnecessary things that will attract us into more worldly actions.

The title ‘Great Scholar’ of India is truly appropriate for Professor Lokesh Chandra. His collection of work is marvellous and very beneficial to any student of Buddhism or spiritual aspirant! From his work, it is evident that Professor Lakesh has deep expertise in language with unequivocal understanding of the Buddhist text as well as superior knowledge of Buddhist iconography. I am at awe! I certainly look forward to reading some of Professor’s work. Thank you for this wonderful sharing, Rinpoche, Joy.

Stunning…… this very famous Vajrayogini – Ugra Tara temple situated in Sankhu, Kathmandu, Nepal full of history, legends and culture . This temple seem to have the greatest power of blessings for everyone who visited and seeing it. Vajrayogini is a Hindu goddess of knowledge and wisdom and for the Buddhist is also known as Ugra Tara . This temple was built dedicated to the goddess Vajrayogini ,has attracted thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. Sankhu is one of the sacred power places of Vajrayogini in Nepal . I do hope I can visit this beautiful sacred temple one day. Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for sharing with us. I loved looking at those beautiful pictures as shared.

Wow …having the Chinese New Year and the Tibetan New Year same day . That’s wonderful, auspicious and rare whereby everyone will be enjoying at the same time. Dorje Shugden’s precious advice during Lunar New Year 2018 is indeed timely. However small or big deeds is still very virtuous as long as we put in our best with a good motivation and a pure mind. All of us are fortunate to have met Rinpoche through kechara and have learned ,practiced Dharma. Without Rinpoche there is no Dharma…….we are indeed grateful . I am glad to have made the right choice to choose what i want to learn and practice .Having this precious advice from our powerful Protector Dorje Shugden is a blessing. May our compassionate Guru stays healthy and live long to continue turning the Dharma wheel to benefits all the sentient beings. May more and more people benefits from this precious advice and Dorje Shugden protections.
Thank you Dorje Shugden and Rinpoche for this powerful advice which I will bear in mind and had it bookmarked .

Life is made up of choices. I believe life is just a series of decisions we make, and depending on our choice, we have to live with the consequences of our choices. We are responsible for our own lives, and being accountable for whatever decisions we’ve made we can change our lives for the better. The choices we make, however, determine our happiness or our unhappiness. I did not realise much earlier but reading this profound teachings has taught me many and a wake up call for me.
“What you are today, is the choice you made yesterday……as said by Tsem Rinpoche
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this teachings

It is true all the emotions comes from our mind. Most of the time we tend to see a problem to be so big which we can actually have a choice to dilute it and make it smaller. We always have our expectation on everything and once it goes against ours, we are not happy and anger arise. Therefore we should control our mind and not let it direct us to think and act negatively.

It’s so heartwarming to watch the short video. The bond between Sirga and Valentine are so strong, like meeting an old friend. This video reminds me that animals is just like human and have feelings, therefore treat all of them with respect and care.

Thank you for sharing the updates on Buddhist community from Tibet and elsewhere. All these grand and meaningful events around the world since 2011 up until 2018 are now accessible to everyone, which was previously not made widely available. It goes to show that more and more people care and are interested about the news and movements of Tibetan Buddhism, particularly Dorje Shugden events. These events also dispel the myths that DS is a minor sect – check out the crowds! Massive numbers of sangha and lay people turn up at these events for the blessing and initiation to DS Sogtae. These events are evidence that religious freedom is enshrined in Tibet, China and other parts of the world; seems like the only place where there is no religious freedom for DS practitioners are under the rule of Dharamsala. Therefore, events updates of DS practitioners gathered together to receive initiation and teachings are really very encouraging. Rejoice to all who received the sogtae!

Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing. Can imagine the situation ,the pain and suffering of that poor pig. They the many of these sows live in cages just large enough to contain their bodies. Sows have a pregnancy lasting around four months and their freedom of movement are restricted .Sad to see that situation ,hoping more can be done to improve it. But the best choice is go on vegetarian so less killing , less consuming meat.

Happiness , depression, anger, frustration, bitterness is a choice. All is based on how we interpreting each situation in our life and the meaning we associate with. To feel happy, focus on things in our life that will make us feel happy. What ever we see and thinks can lead to thoughts and influences our performance. It is our emotions that influence the way we think and behave We are to accept and the ability to adapt to the challenges of our daily life. A powerful meaning behind this short story. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this wonderful and powerful post that will helps us in our daily life.

Wow…. a brilliant picture of the two greatest masters of Tibetan Buddhism. Trijang Rinpoche was a Gelugpa monk and the 16th Karmapa, a Karma Kagyu, enjoying a beautiful relationship based on respect and trust. There were no conflict between them. It seem that in one lifetime, both of them did even interchange incarnations. There is an interesting story regarding both of them. Both enlightened manifesting again and again for the benefit of others .From the picture it tell us a thousands word of wisdom between both of them. H.H. the 16th Karmapa and H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche remained close friends throughout their life. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this a brilliant picture of the two greatest masters for us and merely seeing it is a blessing.

Out of compassion, Buddha Manjushri emanate in the form of Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden to help us swiftly.

Now, with the blessings of our precious guru, we are so fortunate to receive these precious advice from Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden reminded us that dharma practice is based on our faith and pure motivation. When we do for any virtuous actions with the pure motivation and out of the Eight Worldly Concerns, it definitely will bring much beneficial not only ourselves but also many others. We should start to practice by letting go our small “self” and slowly let go the big “self”. Eventually we are able to do more that benefit others instead of only ourselves.

It’s so amazing that since thousand of years ago people already have such high technologies in constructing strong and amazing building that till today we may not necessary be able to achieve. Also it is just amazing that the mummies found in the temple were so well preserved. While many scientists and archeologists are trying their best to find out how, what and where about all this mysteries findings, I hope they use the right method to get into these place and with respect. After all , these places are suppose to be holy .

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I must thank my dharma blog team who are great assets to me, Kechara and growth of dharma in this wonderful region. I am honoured and thrilled to work with them. I really am. Maybe I don't say it enough to them, but I am saying it now. I APPRECIATE THESE GUYS VERY MUCH!

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Dear everyone... This is a good condensed talk I gave on Guru Yoga of Tsongkapa. This is the one you should share with others when they are interested in a not too lengthy explanation. It is the perfect practice for everyone who wants simplicity yet effective blessings. You can share this with more people, it will be good.

External Articles

ANIMAL QUOTES

"If you say you don't have money to help a animal shelter, why then do you have money to buy meat?"

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Eating animals is not our God-given right, but being kind to them is."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"What makes us good humans is not how we abuse animals, but how much we allow them to live and be happy freely."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"We need another and wiser and perhaps a more mythical concept of animals.... We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complex than ours they moved finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth."

~ Henry Beston, The Outermost House

"Not eating animals is only unnatural when we are not used to it."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES

"We may encounter defeat, but we must not be defeated."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"What you are today, is the choice you made yesterday."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"You think you can choose your life? What an ego trip!"

~ Lama Yeshe

"If TODAY you are dissatisfied, you must make the changes to create different results for TOMORROW."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

SPIRITUAL QUOTES

“If one does the recitation of the Lama Tsongkhapa guru yoga prayer for even one month using one of the visualizations for great or clear or quick wisdom, one will definitely see development of that wisdom. It is proved by experience. There is no doubt that by doing the Lama Tsongkhapa guru yoga practice one can meet Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings from life to life. And furthermore, it gives one the opportunity to be born in the pure realm of Lama Tsongkhapa, Tushita, whenever death happens.”

~ Pabongkha Rinpoche

"I was 18 years old in 1983. That was a very special year as I met His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and received innumerable precious teachings and empowerments from Him at Thubten Dhargye Ling Centre in Los Angeles, California. It was the best time of my life. A time that seems so magical and surreal to me. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is Heruka Buddha and I met Heruka."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"If being me offends you, maybe I'm not the problem."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Never abandon your spiritual teacher no matter how many inner obstacles you need to overcome."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Actions to force something to be permanent makes all the karmas arise."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"The dharma is not easy to listen to… because some people take it as criticism. But Dharma should not be just feel good only for the moment but for deeper contemplations."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Whether we do work and suffer but for others or we do work and suffer for ourselves, either way we have to suffer. That is the nature of samsara. So let us suffer for others and then suffering has meaning."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Those who really want the dharma to grow within themselves and to grow for others should never fear hard work, timing, difficulties, struggles, disappointments because it is for a good cause. Working for Dharma is not a prison or work, but it is purely spiritual practice. It is purely collection of merit and purification. Actually not doing dharma work is the real prison."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"His Holiness Zong Rinpoche stressed the need to continue to practice even when we come up against obstacles, and that we should continually review our progress. He stated that a happy, luxurious life was like a good dream, and that obstacles and difficulties were like a bad dream. We should give them no significance, but simply carry on working towards real, everlasting happiness."

LIFE QUOTES

"I pity men who occupy themselves exclusively with the transitory in things and lose themselves in the study of what is perishable, since we are here for this very end-that we may make the perishable imperishable, which we can do only after we have learned how to approach both."

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"Money amplifies negative characteristics and that can cause problems.
To walk away from that was actually very easy. I didn't even consider it."

~ Angeline Francis Khoo

"I shall not commit the fashionable stupidity of regarding everything I cannot explain as a fraud."

~ Carl Jung

"There is a devil there is no doubt, but is he trying to get into us or trying to get out?"

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"If you love someone, show it by being honest, respectful & honorable with them."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."

~ Henry David Thoreau

"If I can just be the way I am & you the way you are & we accept each other, world peace is near."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"I am Asian, you are some other beautiful color. Together we make diversity so beautiful."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"It's amazing how some people have never met me or know who I am, but based on a few things they read here & there & rumours, they have formulated a new personality for me & all the things I've never done they passionately speak about....I find it funny and entertaining now. I guess we can't spend our lives fighting rumours...we just have to work hard & then rumours get proven wrong on it's own as a by product. No point explaining repeatedly. Just do our work & show results!!"

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"There's a difference between patience and laziness. Patience comes from respect while laziness from disrespect of others."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Although outwardly we have so much, we have so many conveniences, inwardly we have become more unhappy, so, acquisition is not the secret to happiness. The more we get, the more we have, the more unhappy we become."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Before we experience any pain, we already had a fixed view of how things should be. When the experience we encounter contradicts our views, then the pain arises. The pain arises due to our fixed views not so much the experience itself. So the secret is changing the views. Re-educating ourselves on our views."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"You know since very young, for better or worse, I always did the things that others told me not to do. I wasn't really good at following the rules. Even now with how I share Dharma and my practice, I just do it the way I think it should be done but I do it sincerely. Not what others tell me what I can and can't do."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Love me or hate me, both are in my favor... If you love me, I'll always be in your heart... If you hate me, I'll always be in your mind."

~ William Shakespeare

"One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous or honest."

The Unknown

The Known and unknown are both feared,
Known is being comfortable and stagnant,
The unknown may be growth and opportunities,
One shall never know if one fears the unknown more than the known.
Who says the unknown would be worse than the known?
But then again, the unknown is sometimes worse than the known. In the end nothing is known unless we endeavour,
So go pursue all the way with the unknown,
because all unknown with familiarity becomes the known.
~Tsem Rinpoche

Photos On The Go

Click on the images to view the bigger version. And scroll down and click on "View All Photos" to view more images.

Here, His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche (left), one of the tutors of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, confers one of the many countless tantric initiations on the Dalai Lama (right). You can see a young Dalai Lama bowing in this picture with Trijang Rinpoche blessing him. Trijang Rinpoche is therefore undoubtedly the Dalai Lama’s tantric master. A great master at that. Tsem Rinpoche

3 weeks ago

This is a very sacred statue of Buddha Chenresig (Avalokitesvara/Kuan Yin) that manifested many miracles in North India. Read and see more pictures and understand the background here: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=153802

3 weeks ago

Wonderful updated version of The Promise book is out! Please get your copy. Much more new information included.

Beautiful and sacred Vajra Yogini in Pharping, Nepal. The caretaker said it was owned by the Great Marpa the translator who was the guru of Milarepa. Wow.

1 month ago

In the Lankavatara Sutra, Lord Buddha says: "For innumerable reasons, the Bodhisattva, whose nature is compassion, is not to any meat. Thus Mahamati, whenever there is the evolution of living beings, let people cherish the thought of kinship with them, and thinking that all beings are [to be loved as if they were] and only child, let them refrain from eating meat. Mahamati, meat is not eaten by anybody for any reason, there will be no destroyer of life. Thus, Mahamati, meat-eating I have not permitted to anyone, I do not permit, I will not permit."

1 month ago

At times I have to be a trendsetter in spirituality as opposed to just being a follower and that is why I take chances and try. I may not be liked always for it, but I have to do it. In this way I have been introducing Dorje Shugden to the world. I know Shugden is good and will help so many and that is why I do it.

1 month ago

Courage is doing something you know the majority will not agree with and perhaps even some will scorn you for it, but you do it anyway because you know it's right and will benefit people at the cost of your own reputation. That's how I feel when I share Dorje Shugden's practice with the world.

1 month ago

Courage is doing something you know the majority will not agree with and perhaps even some will scorn you for it, but you do it anyway because you know it's right and you are true to yourself.

1 month ago

At times I have to be a trendsetter in spirituality as opposed to just being a follower and that is why I take chances and try. I may not be liked always for it, but I have to do it. In this way I have been introducing Dorje Shugden to the world. I know Shugden is good and will help so many and that is why I do it.

1 month ago

Courage is doing something you know the majority will not agree with and perhaps even some will scorn you for it, but you do it anyway because you know it's right and you are true to yourself.

1 month ago

Courage is doing something you know the majority will not agree with and perhaps even some will scorn you for it, but you do it anyway because you know it's right and will benefit people at the cost of your own reputation. That's how I feel when I share Dorje Shugden's practice with the world.

2 months ago

Beautiful Buddha built in Sarnath, India. Sarnath was the place where Lord Buddha first starting teaching the sacred Dharma. Tsem Rinpoche

2 months ago

This is so good. I need to remember this and not allow people to do this to me anymore. Being kind is one thing, but when they are doing it and it harms, it is not a matter of kindness anymore but taking advantage.

A gorgeous Dorje Shugden painted in traditional art style of China. Chinese art has flourished for over 5,000 years and highly sought after. This form of Dorje Shugden is sitting on a seat as you see painted in his chapel (Trode Khangsar) in Lhasa, Tibet. Dorje Shugden can be on a seat or Lion. More downloads here. http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/downloads/buddha-images.html

3 months ago

Dear friends, The Dorje Shugden oracle of Gaden Shartse Monastery was authorized and blessed by both Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. He was a favorite among high lamas for his smooth trances and clear prophecies. This video is a one-of-a-kind where you see the Choyang Dulzin Kuten oracle take trance of the peaceful form of Dorje Shugden wearing the robes of a high lama giving teachings, blessings and transmissions. Very sacred and rare video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pawS1TMOe8k

The Huffington Post extensively covers the Dorje Shugden issue. I had no idea that this article was being written. I was not contacted, not asked for an interview or asked for any comments, and then it was published and my students alerted me to it. So it was a very, very pleasant and encouraging surprise to read such balanced coverage from such a reputable news website. You can read it here: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=149806

(Drepung) Dear friends, In the effort to be creative about something as holy and beneficial as Dorje Shugden, we've come out with these new and realistic depictions. One is Dorje Shugden visiting the Potala Palace and the other is Dorje Shugden arising from Drepung Monastery where he lived in Zimkhang Gangma Ladrang as a high lama. Please enjoy and be blessed. Sincerely, Tsem Rinpoche (High resolution downloads: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/downloads/buddha-images.html )

3 months ago

Dear friends, In the effort to be creative about something as holy and beneficial as Dorje Shugden, we've come out with these new and realistic depictions. One is Dorje Shugden visiting the Potala Palace and the other is Dorje Shugden arising from Drepung Monastery where he lived in Zimkhang Gangma Ladrang as a high lama. Please enjoy and be blessed. Sincerely, Tsem Rinpoche (High resolution downloads: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/downloads/buddha-images.html )

Dear friends, This meme is powerful. Who you hang around with and the types of attitude they have is who you will be influenced by many times and who you will become in the future. Look at your friends and the people that always surround you to know who you will become. Tsem Rinpoche

4 months ago

October 2017, His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal graciously reading our Kechara album and updates as presented by Beng Kooi and Martin. He was very pleased with our progress and offers his blessings. Tsem Rinpoche

4 months ago

His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche grants audience to Beng Kooi and Martin in France. Read more on His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche: http://bit.ly/1PlaNNS

4 months ago

Recently Beng Kooi and Martin on behalf of myself and Kechara was lucky to have audience with His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal of Gaden Shartse Monastery. He lives in around Paris, France. His Holiness is 91 years old and very healthy and alert. He was the 101st throne holder for Tsongkapa and was the head of the Gelugpa school of Buddhism and was very successful during his tenure. He is a strong practitioner of both Sutra and Tantra of Je Tsongkapa's tradition and a master of all Buddhist knowledge. He holds steadfast to his protector Dorje Shugden very strongly. So we can see even the highest throneholders who are masters of Sutra and Tantra also practices Dorje Shugden knowing the benefits.
Beng Kooi and Martin brought photo albums of Kechara Forest Retreat/Kechara and updates on Kechara and our works. His Holiness was very pleased to listen and offered some gifts back.
This is a beautiful picture and the great blessings bestowed on us from His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal.
Humbly, Tsem Rinpoche
Read more on His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche: http://bit.ly/1PlaNNS

Beng Kooi meeting with the scholar and teacher Geshe Konchok Gyeltsen lak. Geshe Konchok Gyeltsen has been very active and you can see his youtubes in Tibetan speaking about the benefits of Dorje Shugden practice. He is a direct student of Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche.

4 months ago

Martin meeting with Gen Tashi. Gen Tashi is a very devoted and committed activist of Dorje Shugden's cause. He is tireless in speaking for the truth. They enjoyed sharing some time together.

4 months ago

Martin meeting with the well known strong and devoted Dorje Shugden activist and scholar Geshe Konchok Gyeltsen lak. Geshe lak was very happy to meet Martin and shared so much wonderful information. Beautiful meeting.

A mother's love is made up of a deep sense of care, of sacrifice and pain as a mother's heart is always with her children. Watch this touching video.

3 months ago

Dorje Shugden & Ministers

Dorje Shugden and his two ministers, Kache Marpo and Namka Barzin. Vajrasecrets.com

3 months ago

Cham Dance

Cham is sacred dance. A dance that enacts the life story of a holy being. By participating in Cham, one is blessed to see the sacred life story of a being celebrated. This is a cham on Dorje Shugden. It\\\'s a short clip but interesting none-the-less. Tsem Rinpoche

3 months ago

The great Gautama Siddhartha meditating intensely is protected by the King of Nagas during heavy rains

The King of Nagas knows this great being Siddhartha will soon become the Buddha. By offering his own body as shelter to the Buddha to be, he honours the state of enlightenment which will be won and gains merit for himself for his future lives although he is a naga now. The pre-eminent Buddha is an object of perfect offering gaining great merits for all beings. Tsem Rinpoche

4 months ago

This topic is so hot in many circles right now.

This video is thought-provoking and very interesting. Watch! Thanks so much to our friends at LIVEKINDLY.

4 months ago

Chiropractic CHANGES LIFE for teenager with acute PAIN & DEAD LEG.

4 months ago

BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN NEW YORK STATE-AMAZING.

4 months ago

Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the meat Industry with real action.

4 months ago

Do psychic mediums have messages from beyond?

4 months ago

Lovely gift for my 52nd Birthday. Tsem Rinpoche

4 months ago

This 59-year-old chimpanzee was refusing food and ready to die until...

she received “one last visit from an old friend” 💔💔

4 months ago

Bigfoot sighted again and made it to the news.

4 months ago

Casper is such a cute and adorable. I like him.

4 months ago

Dorje Shugden Monastery Amarbayasgalant Mongolia's Ancient Hidden Gem

4 months ago

Don't you love Hamburgers? See how 'delicious' it is here!

4 months ago

Such a beautiful and powerful message from a person who knows the meaning of life. Tsem Rinpoche

4 months ago

What the meat industry figured out is that you don't need healthy animals to make a profit.

Sick animals are more profitable... farms calculate how close to death they can keep animals without killing them.
That's the business model.
How quickly they can be made to grow, how tightly they can be packed, how much or how little can they eat, how sick they can get without dying...
We live in a world in which it's conventional to treat an animal like a block of wood.
~ Jonathan Safran Foer

4 months ago

This video went viral and it's a must watch!!

5 months ago

SEE HOW THIS ANIMAL SERIAL KILLER HAS NO ISSUE BLUDGEONING THIS DEFENSELESS BEING.

This happens daily in slaughterhouse so you can get your pork and Bak ku teh. Stop eating meat.

5 months ago

Beautiful Buddha being sculpted from clay.

5 months ago

After a while, you are are numb and you just keep doing it. You don’t know what you are doing and you don’t see it for what it really is. Tsem Rinpoche

This is how the chickens are killed in the farm, they die a very horrible death.

5 months ago

America likes to police the world but their own record of civil rights is not on track. Watch this video from people of color in the US.

5 months ago

Important video to watch and learn.

5 months ago

Bigfoot’s voice captured on tape.

5 months ago

Amazing video that you will not regret watching.

6 months ago

Norma Jean

These are the heartbreaking scenes we see over and over again, that we share in the hopes of telling the stories of those who otherwise would have suffered and vanished from this earth without a trace. This is Norma Jean. Free for a little over five months, she knew more happiness than millions of her sisters ever will. But she couldn’t escape the fate genetically programmed into her as an egg producing machine. She seemed more lethargic than usual this morning, so we brought her inside to administer fluids and antibiotics in the hopes of pulling her through until we could get her in to see our vet. She couldn’t hang on. She died this evening shortly after this video was taken, severely infected from the rotting egg yolk adhered to various organs throughout her abdominal cavity. Like virtually every single one of her sisters, caged or free range, rescued or not, she paid the ultimate price for eggs (from FB)

6 months ago

If you want to change the world, start of by making your bed

If you want to change the world, measure a person by the size of their heart

6 months ago

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau visits a Hindu mandir (temple)

While on a visit to a Hindu mandir (temple), Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks on diversity as Canada's strength.

ASK A PASTOR

A section for you to clarify your Dharma questions with Kechara’s esteemed pastors.

Just post your name and your question below and one of our pastors will provide you with an answer.

Scroll down and click on "View All Questions" to view archived questions.

CHAT PICTURES

Dear blog friends, you can submit your photos to this section by sending an email to tblogpics@gmail.com. Include your message in the "Subject" field (up to 250 characters only). Be sure to include your name in the subject field too!

"Pray to Tara for everything from business success, the safety and happiness of our family, it will be beneficial. As stated in the praise: “Desiring children you will gain offsprings; seek wealth and you will be granted riches; whatever you desire you will obtain”." From Dorje Shugden's Advice for the New Year 2018 http://bit.ly/2CAA853

Princess Dewa Nimbo once said that if Tsem Rinpoche was really a high lama, he would eventually find his own way back onto his spiritual path. The Promise tells the story of it.
Be inspired by #ThePromise & join our #TwitterChat #contest!
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4 days ago

Happy Chinese New Year! May everyone be blessed by Dorje Shugden and Gyenze. Pastor Antoinette

4 days ago

Burning Huge Incense for an Auspicious New Year of the Dog at Gyenze Chapel, Kechara Forest Retreat, Pastor Antoinette

5 days ago

The young participants of W.O.A.H. Camp focus and listened to Teacher Kien on how to do DIY colourful candle. Alice Tay, KSDS

5 days ago

Lively kids move their body and dance together with the teachers. Alice Tay, KSDS

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